Menorah carved from ice? See it in Naperville
As a winter afternoon descends into darkness, the Jewish community in Naperville is inviting people of all religious traditions to gather in the light.
Chabad Jewish Center of Naperville will host a “CommUnity” Menorah-Lighting Ceremony, featuring a large menorah carved from ice, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St.
The event celebrates the annual Jewish festival of lights, Hanukkah, and honors the lives of those killed in the Oct. 27 shooting in a Pittsburgh synagogue, Rabbi Mendy Goldstein said.
“The answer to hatred and darkness is just to increase more light and goodness and kindness,” he said. “And that's the message of Hanukkah.”
Hanukkah is based on an ancient tradition that began when Jews rededicated a temple in the Holy Land after a successful revolt against an oppressive government. With only a one-day supply of untainted lighting oil, the faithful were able to light a menorah in the temple for eight days, which they saw as a miracle.
Jews now celebrate the festival with nightly menorah-lightings, special prayers and foods such as fried potato latkes, traditional doughnuts, fried apple fritters, applesauce and cheese blintzes. Hanukkah this year runs from Dec. 2 through Dec. 10.
Chabad of Naperville traditionally hosts a public menorah-lighting each year, and this year, it will be among 15,000 Chabad centers across the world to put up such a visible display of faith. Goldstein said the ice-carving idea came about last year as a way to put a “new and exciting” twist on the annual festival and add some action to the event.
Chabad has hired an ice carver who will transform a 4-foot block of ice into a large candle holder, in which Goldstein will load candles in tall tiki torches, to keep the heat of the flames from melting the ice. The carving begins at 5:30 p.m., with indoor viewing available from inside the municipal center, and the prayer and lighting ceremony begins at 6 p.m.
Goldstein said Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico is scheduled to attend the event, which typically draws between 50 and 100 people. Guests will be invited to enjoy latkes and doughnuts once the lighting ceremony concludes.
“CommUnity” Menorah-Lighting Ceremony
When: 5:30 p.m. ice carving, 6 p.m. lighting ceremony Wednesday, Dec. 5
Where: Naperville municipal center, 400 S. Eagle St.
Who: Hosted by Chabad Jewish Center of Naperville, open to the public
Cost: Free
Info: <a href="https://www.jewishnaperville.com/holidays/chanukah/default_cdo/jewish/Hanukkah.htm">www.JewishNaperville.com/Hanukkah</a>