Sandy’s First Hanukkah Lighting

Museum office supervisor Ken Funk and Sandy City Councilman Carl Exner were among the about three dozen people who braved the rainstorm and icy cold to attend Sandy’s first public Hanukkah lighting December 20 in Centennial Plaza adjacent to the museum. City events coordinator Carol Cohen helped organize the celebration hosted by the Chabad Jewish Center. Exner welcomed the Jewish community here. Rabbi Avrohom Moshe Dyce, who serves the east county, spoke.

“You don’t fight darkness with darkness; you don’t fight it with making arguments and ugly ways. You light a candle of truth, of holiness, of spirituality, and the darkness dissipates,” he said. [Sandy Post, “Hanukkah” by Brit Allen, Wednesday, December 28,2022, p.A10]

Two other rabbis aided the lighting ceremony of the twelve-foot high, nine-branched menorah which needed a ladder and a tiki-torch-type pole. Leaders gave small menorahs to those who wished to celebrate the eight-day holiday at home. Acts of Random Kindness (ARK) banks were distributed for saving change to give to others in need and thereby bettering oneself. ARK is based on the teachings of the Rebbe that centering kindness in our lives changes the world, even if it starts with just a penny.