It was a night of spreading light and goodness throughout the community. The Fire on Ice event in West Hartford kicked off the first night of Hanukkah on Sunday evening.
Dancing dreidels were on hand as hundreds celebrated at the event, which organizers said was the biggest one so far.
“Look around you. We have music.”
The festive mood bringing people to West Hartford Center. For the first time, Lasalle Road was shut down to accommodate the celebration.
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“It’s so inspirational. It’s so powerful and meaningful to have the community come together,” said Rebecca Rosenblatt, of West Hartford.
The highlight of the event being the lighting of the menorah ice sculpture. The celebration of Hanukkah stems from the successful revolt of the Maccabees against the Greeks for the freedom to practice their religion.
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Jewish leaders say the holiday is meant to bring light and goodness to all while pushing back against the uptick in antisemitism.
“This is the power of bringing light to our communities, doing good deeds, of empowering people to stand up and help their neighbors and bring our communities in a very powerful way,” David Waren, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, said.
There will be seven more nights of Hanukkah to be celebrated.
