The Festival of Lights was celebrated in West Hartford on Sunday at the annual Chabad Fire on ICE.
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
The decision to relocate Chabad of Greater Hartford’s “Fire on ICE” indoors due to pouring rain on Sunday did not at all dampen the spirits of the more than 1,100 people who came together to celebrate Chanukah at The Emanuel Synagogue.
Chanukah, or the Festival of Lights, recalls the victory of the Jews, led by Judah Maccabee, against the Greeks in reclaiming the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. When the Maccabees went to light the Temple’s menorah, there was only one jar of oil – enough to burn for only one day, but it lasted miraculously for eight. In commemoration, Jews celebrate Chanukah for eight days by lighting an eight-branched candelabrum known as a menorah.
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
On Sunday, which was the fourth night of Chanukah, Rabbi Shaya Gopin, along with Michael Levin and Barbara Roth, literally created “fire on ice” as they used a super-sized shamash candle to light the other candles atop a giant ice sculpture menorah.
Children, adults, and a dancing dreidel sang and danced to the lively music of 8th Day, a Hasidic pop rock band based in Los Alamitos, CA, which provided entertainment throughout the evening.
Some of the activities that had been planned, such as trackless train rides, were not able to be moved indoors but there were still many craft tables for the children, face painting, and giant glow sticks.
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
While the event was mostly focused on light, joy, and celebration, the mood was solemn as just before the lighting of the menorah, guests were asked to participate in the lighting of candles at tables set along the perimeter of the room – a display that had been created last week on the grounds of the Mandell JCC with place settings and empty chairs for the 137 people who remain hostages held captive by Hamas.
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
There was plenty of security on hand, with members of the West Hartford Police and Fire departments as well as other law enforcement both in uniform and plain clothes to ensure the safety of those in attendance.
WTNH anchor Dennis House returned to Fire on ICE as emcee, and along with Gopin led a Jewish trivia game. Mayor
Shari Cantor and Chabad Board President Lee Gold announced the runners up as well as the “Be the Light” art contest winner. The theme this year was: “A little bit of light can dispel a lot of darkness – I can be the light by spreading goodness!” and the winner was 13-year-old Eden Schlomo, whose drawing will appear on the cover of the next West Hartford Magazine.
The winning entry in the “Be the Light” art contest. Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Emcee Dennis House (left), Mayor Shari Cantor, “Be the Light” winner Eden Schlomo, Chabad Board President LeeGold, and Rabbi Shaya Gopin. Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Rabbi Shaya Gopin. Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Rabbi Shaya Gopin of Chabad carries the shamash candle. Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fire on ICE. Dec. 10, 2023. Emanuel Synagogue, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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