Maine Township’s only synagogue is hoping to share the light of Hanukkah this year through a series of community menorahs.
To mark the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, Chabad and F.R.E.E of Niles erected four large menorahs in the Niles area: In front of its synagogue in unincorporated Maine Township, outside Niles Village Hall, on the grounds of Niles Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Greenwood Avenue, and along Golf Road near Fresh Farms market in Niles, said Rabbi Lazer Hershkovich.
“When we were erecting the menorah on Golf Road, it took us about 45 minutes and we had at least 10 cars drive by beeping their horns and waving to us in excitement,” he said. [“The menorah] is a message for the Jewish community, but it also has a universal message of spreading light, the way light can triumph over darkness.
“How do we fight all the evil and negativity in the world?” Hershkovich added. “With a little bit of light. That’s why I want to go to every single neighborhood to illuminate it.”
Next year, Hershkovich said he would like to add a menorah in Park Ridge as well.
On Tuesday, the first night of Hanukkah, members of the local Jewish community gathered at Hershkovich’s Maine Township synagogue to witness the lighting of the first candle on the giant outside menorah. This was the first time the synagogue used real candles on its outdoor menorah, Hershkovich said.
As Hershkovich climbed a ladder to light the first candle, the Hebrew blessing was recited Gary Peckler, vice president of the Golf Maine Park District Board.
“Hanukkah is the festival of lights and it recalls the victory, more than 2,100 years ago, of a militarily weak, but a spiritually strong Jewish people over the mighty forces of a ruthless enemy that had overrun the Holy Land and threatened to engulf the land and its people in darkness,” Hershkovich told the group gathered for the ceremony. He explained that lighting the menorah is “a symbol and message of the triumph of freedom over oppression, of spirit over matter, of light over darkness,” and a reminder that “illumination begins at home, within oneself and one’s family.” He encouraged the faithful to “share your light,” through kindness, good deeds and studying the Torah.
“Let us pray that the message of the Hanukkah lights will illuminate our everyday life personally and society as large, for a brighter life in every respect, both materially and spiritually,” Hershkovich said.
Attending the synagogue’s menorah lighting for the first time was Park Ridge Mayor Marty Maloney, who was presented with a menorah as a gift.
“I was grateful to be included, and I appreciate the invitation,” Maloney said. “It was the first [menorah lighting] I attended, so it was a great experience for me to learn a little more about Hanukkah and the Jewish faith.”
Following the candle lighting, those gathered enjoyed latkes — potato pancakes typically served during Hanukkah — and helped pack small boxes of cookies and chocolate. These boxes of holiday cheer were distributed by volunteers to 300 people who are homebound or in area hospitals and nursing homes, the rabbi and his wife, Rivky Hershkovich, said.
The distribution is part of Chabad Cares, an outreach initiative started by Chabad and F.R.E.E. (which stands for Friends of Refugees of Eastern Europe) that is aimed at providing food, religious support and comfort to the elderly and sick Jewish population of the Maine Township area.
Twitter: @Jen_Tribune