A menorah stands at the corner of Main Street and Post Road East in tribute to local observance of Hanukkah, but inclement weather Monday night prevented its ceremonial illumination. Photo at right, Selectwomen Candice Savin and Andrea Moore, sheltering from the rain, represented the town at the gathering. / Photos by Gretchen Webster
A small but hardy crowd gathered downtown on rainy Monday night to witness the ceremonial lighting of the town’s menorah, which ultimately could not be illuminated because of the inclement weather.

By Gretchen Webster

WESTPORT — Despite a cold, wet Monday evening, about 20 people gathered downtown to celebrate the lighting of the town’s menorah to officially celebrate the Hanukkah season.

The Jewish “Festival of Lights” commemorates a miracle at the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem when a small amount of oil burned eight days.

Hanukkah this year starts Dec. 25, “the latest ever,” Rabbi Michael Friedman of Temple Israel told those assembled in front of the large menorah at the corner of Main Street and Post Road East.

Members of Beit Chaverim Synagogue on hand for the menorah ceremony included, from left,  Josh Guttman, Reuven Siboni, Amir Siboni, Andrew Marcus and Rabbi Josh Rosenfeld.
Cantors Gedalia Penner-Robinson, left, of The Community Synagogue and Julia Cadrain of Temple Israel led the gathering in song. 

“One candle will be lit each night” during the eight-day celebration, reminding Jewish people that there is always hope, Friedman said. “It reminds us of our continued existence and flourishing in desperate times.”

Welcoming the group were Selectwoman Andrea Moore on behalf of First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker, who was out of town, and Selectwoman Candice Savin, who said it was a special honor for her to welcome attendees as a member of their faith community.

Several songs in both Hebrew and English were sung to commemorate both the history of Hanukkah and the meaning it has for Jews today.

Although inclement weather prevented the menorah’s ceremonial illumination Monday night, like the original centuries ago, when lighted it will embody a beacon of hope. Freelance writer Gretchen Webster, a Fairfield County journalist for many years, was editor of the Fairfield Minuteman and has taught journalism at New York and Southern Connecticut State universities.

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