A light but steady rain didn’t keep a crowd away from the Wilton Menorah Lighting on the Town Green on Sunday night, Dec. 2, to usher in the first night of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. In commemoration several town officials helped light the candles on the menorah. On hand were First Selectwoman Lynne Vanderslice, Selectwoman Lori Bufano and Selectwoman Deb McFadden.
The menorah will be on the Town Green through the full eight days of the holiday, and each evening another flame will be lit. The seventh candle will be lit at the start of the Holiday Stroll this Friday, Dec. 7.
Sunday’s Menorah Lighting event was hosted by the Schneerson Center for Jewish Life. Rabbis Levi Stone and Joshua Hecht led the celebration. They provided traditional Hanukkah dishes, including potato latkes (pancakes) and donuts.
Rabbi Hecht referred to last month’s shooting massacre at a Pittsburgh synagogue when he offered a prayer: “Now is the time to spread the light and the warmth of community, of love of each other, love thy neighbor as thyself. To pray for our great country, and God Bless America, and God bless the town of Wilton. We are truly blessed to be here this evening, to express our freedom of religion, to express our love of mankind, and of God our Creator. May this Hanukkah bring warmth and light to all of us and to the world, that the world be at peace with each other.”
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