The flames of the candles on the big outdoor menorah shone through the dark and frigid night during Monday’s Chabad Watertown’s fourth annual Chanukah Celebration at Arsenal Yards.
Dozens braved the 20 degree weather to enjoy some hot chocolate and doughnuts, catch gelt dropped from a Watertown Fire truck’s ladder, and watch a man twirl flaming sticks, eat fire, and blow fireballs.
Held on the second night of Chanukah, Chabad Watertown invited City Manager George Proakis, along with Watertown Police Chief Justin Hanrahan and Captain Dan Unsworth to light the service candle, in the middle of the ice menorah. The two candles, representing the second night of the holiday, were lit by Rabbi Dovid Zaltzman of Chabad Watertown.
He noted that there was a tinge of sadness to the celebration after the attacks on a Chanukah celebration in Sydney, Australia.
“Chabad emissaries, six and a half thousand of us around the world have dedicated our lives, as have many other people here in the crowd, to doing things for the community,” Zaltzman said. “And the first night of Hanukkah, we lost two of our colleagues, fellow Chabad rabbis, at the attack, amongst many other people.”
Zaltzman asked the crowd to remember the people who lost their lives, and who are healing from injuries. He added that Chanukah is a celebration of light over darkness.
“There is no darkness in the world that can snuff out our candles. We have gathered here tonight in freezing cold temperatures, and we are going to light fire and ice menorah to bring out this point that no matter how cold things may seem and how dark things can get, light will always prevail,” Zaltzman said. “We ask all of you, when you go home tonight, think about another friend, think about a colleague, a co-worker, someone else whose candle has yet to be lit.”
The rabbi also took time to thank the Watertown Fire Department for providing the fire truck for the gelt drop, and the Watertown Police Department for the security they provided for both the Chabad Center and the Jewish Community Day School in Watertown.
“We really appreciate all they’ve done for us,” Zaltzman said.
Proakis thanked everyone for coming out to the community celebration, “whether you are a dedicated member of the Jewish community celebrating Hanukkah, or you’re just along to join us, because this is just a great celebration and festive evening to be outside and enjoying our community in the winter.”
He added, “It’s always great to be a part of the opportunity to celebrate our community, celebrate traditions and celebrate the opportunity to light the menorah here. So, thank you Rabbi again for the chance to do so.”
Chabad Watertown holds a variety of events for the Jewish community in Watertown, including during holidays, Shabbat dinners, and Hebrew lessons. See more details at www.chabadwatertown.org.