Boulder Jewish News Arts, Culture, Events, Lifestyles, Holidays, Synagogues, Education
For the umpteenth-year in a row, the weather again challenged the Grand Menorah Lighting on Pearl Street.
This year’s giant chanukiah, covered in Crocs, proved no match for 60 mph wind gusts. The evening temperature was considerably warmer than past years, meaning a good 40 degrees warmer and drier than last year, but the wind – oh the wind!
Steve Brodsky warmed up the crowd with Chanukah sing-a-long hits, while kids enjoyed dreidel-shaped glasses and other glow-in-the-dark accessories as well as fresh sufganiyot (jelly-filled donuts). About half-way into his musical set, a strong gust knocked over the giant menorah, overcoming sandbags (seems a theme in Boulder). Not to fear, it was righted and reset (and had not yet been lit).
After remarks by Jonathan Lev, Executive Director of the Boulder JCC, and Rabbi Pesach Scheiner of Chabad of Boulder, menorah-lighter Boaz Meir of Jewish National Fund led the crowd in the traditional Chanukah blessings and made a valiant attempt to light a flame in the face of yet more wind. Volunteers held both the ladder and the menorah to ensure neither toppled.
Perhaps next year!
In our mind’s eye, this is what Chanukah on Pearl Street looks like.
Would it be too much for the City to add the lights atop the municpal building as you have done on the photo? Marvelous.
Thanks Cheryl for covering and partnering with us once again. I loved your comment about Hanukkah on Pearl with the picture.