Columbia Hanukkah celebration emphasizes ‘light’ after Sydney attack
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Hundreds of gold chocolate coins fell from a Columbia firetruck on Tuesday evening for Chabad of MU and Mid-Missouri's annual Hanukkah menorah lighting outside of Columbia City Hall.
However, this year's celebration carried a bit of extra weight in the wake of a deadly attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia. The Sydney shooting killed 15 people and targeted members of the Jewish community.
“It was a time of joy and it was interrupted by a terrible, terrible, terrible terrorist attack that took the lives of so many. As a Jew, we feel the pain. We're like one community. But we respond by adding more light,” Rabbi Avraham Lapine, director of Chabad at Mizzou, said. “It was darkness that hit the world, really dark, and you feel the darkness. And we have to respond by adding more light, adding more goodness, more kindness, and by being proud.”
Chabad at Mizzou has been hosting a public Hanukkah menorah lighting for the past 13 years. The event featured a six-foot LEGO menorah, chocolate coins dropped from a fire truck, gifts for children, hot drinks and traditional Hanukkah foods.
Lapine said the celebration was a way to respond to hatred with light and unity.
“The only way to fight darkness is with more light. The only way to fight evil is with good. We fight hatred with love. Time to be more Jewish and more proud of our faith and more proud of our Jewish identity,” Lapine said.
The menorah lighting has grown significantly during the past two years, Lapine said, likely tripling in attendance. While he acknowledged a rise in antisemitism since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack in Israel, he said support from both the Jewish community and those outside it was encouraging.
“The fact that the Jewish community came together and even from those outside the Jewish community, it really gives us hope and encouragement that we're not alone,” Lapine said.
Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, attending her third consecutive menorah lighting as mayor, had the honor of lighting the first candle. She said the event was a reminder of the importance of community.
“There's a lot of division out there right now. It is more important than ever that we come together to support one another, regardless of your faith, regardless of who you love or what you look like. It's important to show up for your neighbors and when we see people dividing and attacking one another, we have to remember to stand up for them. We have to be able to stand up for each other,” Buffaloe said.
Buffaloe also noted the LEGO menorah’s design, joking about last year’s icy version.
“I will say last year's menorah was made of ice. So it's probably good that this year is made of Lego kind of warmer,” Buffalo said. "I'm also kind of biased. My son does LEGO robotics at his middle school. And so I think it's really impressive when I can see this happen.”
First-time attendee Paul Eisenstein said he enjoyed the event and the festive atmosphere.
“It's amazing. I love the Lego-based menorah. That's a lot of fun. And of course, the fire truck coming out and the delivery of chocolate from the fire truck is a lot of fun. It's fun to see all the kids here enjoying Hanukkah and just the good spirit about bringing light to this world. I love it,” he said.
Eisenstein added the holiday’s message resonated deeply in light of recent events.
“I think Hanukkah is a wonderful holiday about bringing light to the world. The mayor mentioned there's darkness in the world, but there's a lot more light. And I believe that,” Eisenstein said.
Chabad at Mizzou said the event was coordinated with local law enforcement to ensure safety and encouraged the public to attend as a show of unity and support for the community.
