Fairfield’s public menorah lighting ‘spreads light into darkness’

FAIRFIELD – Chilling temperatures and a howling wind did not stop Fairfield’s Jewish community from gathering in Central Park on Dec. 18 to celebrate the fifth night of Hanukkah.

Just as it has done for the past decade or so, the town’s synagogue called Beth Shalom Fairfield invited members of Chabad N.E. Iowa to bring their 10-foot menorah for a public lighting ceremony. The Chabad usually stops in other towns in the region during the eight nights and days of Hanukkah, and this year it hosted menorah lightings in Fairfield, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, La Crosse, Wisconsin, and its home in Postville.

Fairfield Mayor Connie Boyer was asked to light the middle candle of the menorah called the Shamash or “servant candle,” which is used to light the other eight candles. Retired Rabbi Alan Green of Fairfield also gave a blessing before the lighting ceremony.

Rabbi Aron Schimmel of Chabad N.E. Iowa said he’s been glad to make this annual pilgrimage to Fairfield to share the message of Hanukkah, which he said is about “spreading light into darkness.”

“The message of spreading the light is a message for all mankind, and not only Jews but also gentiles, everyone,” he said.

Schimmel said that public menorah lightings like the one in Fairfield last week are more important now than ever, especially in light of the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, where 15 people were killed during a Hanukkah celebration on Dec. 14. He said that, even though this may be a fearful time for Jews, they must combat darkness by facing it head-on instead of hiding from it. He said that, after all, the story of Hanukkah was the miracle of a tiny amount of olive oil lasting eight nights.

“Even a small amount of light will create more light, and the darkness will disappear,” he said.

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Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com

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