Fairfield, CT - This Hanukkah, Fairfield County is seeing a surge in families’ public displays of the holiday and Jewish identity, with many more individuals planning to light their menorahs in visible places, such as their doors or windows. Public Hanukkah gatherings are seeing larger than usual crowds this year in a strong statement of Jewish pride and confidence.
It’s a fraught time for the Jewish people, with war in Israel, and with American Jews facing a major rise in antisemitism. While in the past, prior to Oct. 7, many Jews’ response to frightening developments of antisemitism may have been to hide their Jewishness, the post-Oct. 7 Jewish communal response has bucked all precedents. Jews are choosing instead to celebrate their identity this Hanukkah with more confidence and resolve.
Chabad of Fairfield is sponsoring a public Hanukkah menorah lighting event with a massive menorah at Sherman Green, on Monday, December 11th at 6:00 PM. The event will feature a live D.J., a "Hannukah Gelt Drop" by the Fairfield Fire Department as well as hot drinks and a selection of traditional Hanukkah foods.
“Not only is celebrating Hanukkah a vital part of Jewish life–where it has become a potent point of light and Jewish pride and confidence for American Jews in the fight against darkness and antisemitism–but also represents key American values, namely those of liberty and independence,” said Rabbi Shlame Landa. “The holiday of Hanukkah underscores the fact that American culture has been enriched by the thriving ethnic cultures which contributed very much, each in its own way, to communal life, both materially and spiritually.”
EVENT RECAP:
- What: Unite Through Light
- Where: Sherman Green, 1451 Post Road, Fairfield
- When: Monday, December 11th, 6:00 PM
- Cost: Free & open to the community.
- RSVP: JewishFairfield.org
ABOUT HANUKKAH
Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, begins this year on the evening of Thursday, December 7 and concludes the evening of Friday, December 15. It recalls the victory of a militarily weak but spiritually strong Jewish people, who defeated the Syrian-Greeks who had overrun ancient Israel and sought to impose restrictions on the Jewish way of life and practice. They desecrated and defiled the Holy Temple and the oil prepared for the lighting of the menorah–part of the daily service. Upon defeating their enemies and recapturing the Temple only one jar of undefiled oil was found, enough to burn for one day, but it lasted miraculously for eight. In commemoration, Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight days by lighting an eight-branched candelabrum known as a menorah, adding another candle each night. Today, the holiday carries a universal message of the triumph of freedom over oppression, of spirit over matter, of light over darkness. Additional information about the Hanukkah holiday is available at Chabad.org/Hanukkah.
ABOUT CHABAD OF FAIRFIELD
Chabad of Fairfield offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations. For more information visit www.JewishFairfield.org