On Sunday evening, December 14th, the Burlington community gathered at the UVM Green for the lighting of the first Hanukkah candle. The event took place during a somber time for the global Jewish community, following reports of a tragic attack at Bondi Beach in Australia that targeted individuals preparing for their own holiday celebrations.

Despite the news, organizers from Chabad of Vermont moved forward with the public lighting to uphold the message of the holiday and provide a space for community solidarity.

Message of resilience

The gathering featured remarks on the importance of maintaining Jewish traditions and visibility during challenging times. Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak attended the ceremony, speaking about the spirit of Hanukkah and the importance of community strength.

Rabbi Eliyahu Junik, rabbi of Chabad of Burlington, addressed the crowd with a message of perseverance. He drew a parallel between the Hanukkah story and current events, noting that just as the Syrian-Greeks once sought to suppress Jewish practice, the violence in Australia was an attempt to intimidate the community into hiding.

“We don’t back down,” Rabbi Junik told the attendees. “We stand strong and tall. We are Americans, we have the freedom of religion, and we will use this freedom.”

Lighting the Night

A highlight of the evening occurred when Rabbi Yitzchok Raskin, Regional Director of Chabad of Vermont, ascended in a bucket truck provided by Burlington Electric. From the elevated platform, he kindled the first light of the large menorah, a visual reminder of the holiday’s theme of bringing light into the dark.

Rabbi Raskin emphasized that the most effective response to fear is to show up for Jewish life and participate openly in communal traditions. He encouraged the audience to use their freedom to practice their faith with pride and to not be deterred by those who wish for the community to retreat.

The supportive crowd at the UVM Green braved the cold to witness the ceremony, which concluded as a peaceful demonstration of unity and a shared commitment to religious liberty.