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Governor Lights Menorah, Boulder Mayor, City Council Attend
Boulder’s Jewish community Joyously turned out in force Thursday night, December 2, 2021 to celebrate Chanukah in person for the first time since 2019. Hundreds enjoyed a balmy evening, Chanukah music and song from Steve Brodsky, hot latkes, hot chocolate, and a dramatic gelt drop courtesy of the Boulder Fire Department.
Josh and Bonni Raderman welcomed the audience to begin the program, and Brodsky sang a medley of his popular Chanukah songs. Jonathan Lev, Executive Director of the Boulder JCC spoke, and then Josh introduced host Rabbi Pesach Scheiner of the Boulder County Center for Judaism. Rabbi Scheiner gave a teaching emphasizing Judaism’s role as a light unto the nations, connecting that light to the lights of Chanukah that were to be lit.
Next, Governor Jared Polis addressed the crowd, and introduced Matt Benjamin, Nicole Speer, Mayor Aaron Brockett, Lauren Folkerts and Tara Winer of the Boulder City Council, who wished the crowd a happy Chanukah.
Governor Polis also introduced the four first responders honored at the event:
- Chaplain Rosalie Osian
- Fire Fighter Steve Zalk
- Fire Fighter Ryan Balows
- Nurse Lyndsay Lev
l-r: Fire Fighter Steve Zalk, Nurse Lyndsay Lev, Chaplain Rosalie Osian, Fire Fighter Ryan Balows. Governor Jared Polis 
l-r: Matt Benjamin, Nicole Speer, Aaron Brockett, Governor Polis, Lauren Folkerts, Tara Winer
Then Governor Polis led attendees in the prayer for lighting the menorah, and ascending the ladder, did the lighting honors.
After a few more Chanukah songs from Brodsky, Boulder fire personnel ascended the ladder on their fire truck, and made it rain chocolate gelt onto the assembled children.
Chanukah 5782 will long be remembered in Boulder!
