When life continues to bombard us with untruths and violence, your neighborhood Chabad knows how to shed the cosmic weight: by dancing as if the whole world is watching. Joined by his sons and other congregants, Chabad Northwest Indiana’s Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov unleashed a whirling jig outside the ir home and meeting place Saturday evening, just after they lit a special menorah along Ridge Road for all to see and enjoy. The group puts out a lovely lit menorah for the community anyway, but Saturday – God’s “Day of Rest” in Jewish tradition – felt like there needed extra joy, he told the 25 or so congregants who joined him and his family. Chabad of Northwest Indiana member Terry Harman, who helped commission a fully-cast menorah for the organization, lights the center candle, the shamash, on the menorah during a lighting event and celebration on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune) In a been a particularly long, absurd year marked by violence toward Jewish people across the world, with Sydney, Australia’s Bondi Beach mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration December 13 as the latest on the list, it’s their duty to smile and be fearless, Zalmanov said. “The wisest of all men, King Solomon, tells us in the Book of Proverbs that the soul of man is a candle of God. Every single one of us, every human being, is a candle. A candle’s job is to give light,” Zalmanov said. “Fifteen candles are now missing in this world, and it’s our duty and mandate to fill that void. How? King Solomon also said that the candle is a mitzvah, and the Torah is the light. “They came for us on October 7th on Simchat Torah, but they couldn’t stop our dance. They came for us on Yom Kippur in Manchester, but they can’t tear us away from God.” The special menorah, lent to the celebration by Munster theologian Terry Harman, is its own an act of love and defiance. Chabad of Northwest Indiana member Eyal Katz, on left, performs Havdalah with help from Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov during a menorah lighting event and celebration on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune) Based on the traditional, seven-armed menorah used at the beginning of time, Harman said he searched all over to find someone who would craft it before an Indiana family way across the world who finally said “Yes” right after COVID shut down the world. Except when all was said and done, they couldn’t ship to Harman it as it was. The family, he said, was Muslim. “It came over in pieces listed as “Holiday candle holder,” Harman said. “It was right when Covid hit, so they had to make some money, but still, what an act of defiance.” After the ceremony, the Zalamovs invited everyone inside for a nosh and fellowship. And he let them with some important advice. A menorah in front of Chabad of Northwest Indiana is lit as part of a ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune) “As the Rebbe taught us, when there’s darkness, we add more light. We help others add light. And we will continue to be visible because Am Yisrael Chai!,” Rabbi Zalmanov said. “Let’s reaffirm our commitment to be shining lights of impact in our own community. Please, dear friends, take the flame deeply embedded within your heart and help set other souls on fire. We will fight gunfire with fire. We’ll fight darkness with light, and we will fight evil with even greater love and kindness.” Nikki Gardberg-Eberle, of Winfield but who grew up in Munster, has been so busy between work and the holiday, she’s worn out. Attending the Chabad lighting, filled her cup, she said. “This world has just become so crazy with no end in sight, so it’s nice just to join everyone and breathe,” she said. Members of Chabad of Northwest Indiana gather food after a menorah lighting event at the Munster organization on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune) Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune. ...read more read less