As he stood before a 30-foot menorah on the Green, local rabbinical student Asher Wilhelm described what Hanukkah has taught him. “Light automatically dispels darkness,” he said. When there’s darkness in the world, sometimes we think we have to take it head on, and “fight all the bad gu ys” — particularly today, with “rising hatred in America.” But, Wilhelm said, Hanukkah has taught him that that’s not true. “All you need to have is just a little bit of light. The second you light up a room, the darkness automatically goes away.” Wilhelm carried that lesson to the Green on Friday as he joined Mayor Justin Elicker, Downtown Alder Eli Sabin, and fellow members of the local Chabad Lubavitch community in welcoming the menorah to the Green. On Sunday, Dec. 14, at 5 p.m., there will be a menorah lighting on the Green featuring music, dancing, donuts, and a DIY menorah kit to celebrate the first night of the Jewish holiday. The menorah has been a staple of the holiday season in New Haven since it was first placed on the Green 44 years ago. According to Rabbi Gershon Borenstein, of the Congregation Lubavitch on Norton Street, it was one of the first public menorahs in the country. The menorah stands a few dozen feet away from a towering Norway Spruce, recently illuminated as part of the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting on the Green. What’s the 30-foot menorah made of? “Spirituality, light, miracles,” Borenstein said. Actually, he clarified, it was crafted by local manufacturer Deitsch Plastics, which also continues to store the menorah when it’s not out on the Green. While Jewish Americans still haven’t achieved full acceptance in America, Sabin said, referencing rising rates of antisemitism, “having the menorah here on the Green is a symbol of how far we’ve come.” Recalling that little bit of light Wilhelm described in his remarks, Elicker said, “We all have the ability to share light.” Whether it be a smile to a stranger in the street, or supporting someone who’s struggling by providing food. “In a time when we’re struggling with a lot of challenges in our community right now, my hope and my wish for this holiday season is that everyone thinks about those opportunities every day to share that little bit of light with one another.” According to Efraim Kantor, a fellow student alongside Wilhelm at the Rabbinical Institute of New England, anyone in need of menorahs, candles, or any help at all for their Hannukah observance in New England can call 917-244-9328. Rabbi Gershon Borenstein. Rabbinical students Chezky Wilschansky, Efraim Kantor, and Asher Wilhelm in front of the new Moshiach van, used for outreach. Sabin binds tefillin onto his head and arm and recites a short prayer. The post “Spirituality, Light, Miracles”: Menorah Welcomed On The Green appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less