Evanston’s annual outdoors Menorah Lighting Ceremony was held Dec. 7 under the festive white strings of lights at Fountain Square along Davis Street at Sherman and Orrington Avenues.
This year’s lighting of the first candle of the menorah included a real flame tabletop menorah and the public tall menorah. A larger audience was present at the ceremony compared to attendance of recent years.
Security on Thursday evening was heightened two months after the events in Israel and the Hamas intercession along the Israeli border last Oct. 7.
This year, Hanukkah began on Dec. 7, lasting until Dec. 15.
Evanston’s public menorah is one of more than 15,000 large public menorahs sponsored by Chabad in more than 100 countries around the world, including the White House, the Eiffel Tower and throughout Ukraine, according to a City of Evanston posting.
The Dec. 7 Evanston celebration featured greetings and introductions of local elected officials and dignitaries. The itinerary included live music, the popular returning LED robot dancer and Hanukkah treats.
People participated in a circle of dance as the event began, helping to instill a festive tone on what was also a somber occasion. One person was seen holding a small flag in honor of Israel.
Rabbi Dov Hillel Klein of Evanston, executive director of Lubavitch-Chabad of Evanston (of Chabad House), spoke to the audience.
“You’ve heard so much about Hanukkah,” Klein said. “The question that I’ve always been asked recently as we’re preparing for Hanukkah is, ‘Are you going to be able to sing? Are you going to be able to celebrate? Can you have joy?’
“And my response is, ‘That’s the only way for a better future and a better tomorrow.’
“The only way to get through the difficulties of time and the difficulties of the darkness that sometimes seems to overwhelm us, whether it’s globally, whether it’s within our personal lives, is by keeping our focus on our goal post and moving through life with joy.”
Rom Brown, of the Northwestern University Wildcats soccer team, illuminated the first candle of Hanukkah on the smaller tabletop real flame menorah.
After the illumination of the two menorahs, Klein talked to the Evanston Review about the idea of a goal or goal post in relation to sports and life.
“I didn’t necessarily put a connection, everything’s divine providence, but he’s (Brown) a regular at our Chabad House and sports is very important because it helps people focus,” Klein said. “And it gives them boundaries and what we’re seeing unfortunately by so many people in the world is a lack of boundaries.”
“We’ve got to keep our eyes on our goal posts in order to bring God’s message to the world, in order to bring light to the world, in order to be able to bring positive energy to the world,” Klein added.
Mayor Biss told the audience, “I want to send the signal that we are not alone and that the leaders of this community stand with the Jewish community on this time of difficulty but also this night of celebration.”
Evanston police presence was visible with numerous officers and security vehicles protecting the area.
Evanston Police Chief Schenita Stewart addressed the audience.
“As the leader of the department, I fully recognize the profound effect of recent world events have had,” Stewart said. “Evanston prides itself on our rich diversity.
Sammy Matthews, 3, of Morton Grove, showed curiosity about the smaller tabletop real flame menorah which was protected by clear coverings to help with possible windy conditions and other. On the same table were small toys that Sammy showed interest in.
Blue balloons were seen above the audience, adding buoyancy and holiday color appealing to children of all ages in a joyous scene of lights. Sammy has a twin Ramona who was also seen playing with children.
“I think looking for the light is most important because there’s a lot of darkness,” the twins’ mother Rena Prizant said. “Not with just what’s going on, but life has darkness. And it’s important, especially for the kids, to show them that there’s light.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
