Reflections On the First Anniversary of the Marshall Fire

Traditionally, this time of year is cause for celebration. We surround ourselves with the essence of the season: lighting the chanukiyah, spinning a dreidl, shopping and giving –  all amidst the heady aromas of onions and oil, decadent baked treats, cinnamon, snow, pine, and wood smoke. We gather with family and friends, trading traditions and sharing our spaces. We take a break from work and school. We look forward to the secular New Year with resolutions of improvement and expectations of hope. In fact, the root of Kislev, the Hebrew month in which Chanukah occurs, translates to hope.  This year, we add a new tradition to the season: remembering a time that strayed from dream into nightmare, from light into despair, and now, one year later, teaches us about resilience and hope.  

This year, members of Haver, the Rabbinic Council of Boulder, will gather in community and private to commemorate the anniversary of the devastating Marshall fire that destroyed more than one thousand homes and businesses and claimed the lives of two people and numerous pets. 

While we reflect on the fire and honor those who risked their lives to save what they could, we find connection to Chanukah. The word means dedication. In modern Hebrew, the expression “hanukkat habayit” means housewarming party, literally, dedication of the home. 

Chanukah commemorates a three-year battle with the Syrians and the resulting rededication of the ancient temple they destroyed in Jerusalem. We recognize the miracle that a day’s portion of oil lasted eight days until it could be resupplied. 

As we drive past the Louisville and Superior neighborhoods impacted by the fire, we feel a sense of hope with each home that is rebuilt. We recognize the struggle to recreate what was lost, and marvel at the miracle that, in spite of its speed and ferocity, the fire didn’t claim more lives. Above all else, we dream of the day we can celebrate hanukkat habayit with our greater Boulder community.

L’Shalom, 

Rabbi Deborah Bronstein, Rabbi Emerita Congregation Har HaShem
Rabbi Ori Har DiGenarro, Conscious Learning Community
Rabbi Tirzah Firestone, Rabbi Emerita Congregation Nevei Kodesh
Morah Yehudis Fishman, Community Educator
Rabbi Ruth Gelfarb, Congregation Har HaShem
Rabbi Sarah Bracha Gershuny, Community Rabbi
Rabbi Lynne Goldsmith, Adventure Judaism
Rabbi Fred Greene, Congregation Har HaShem
Rabbi Jamie Korngold, Adventure Judaism
Rabbi Charna Rosenholtz, Shulchan.net
Rabbi Eva Sax-Bolder, Community Rabbi
Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein, Adventure Judaism
Rabbi Marc Soloway, Congregation Bonai Shalom
Rabbi Diane Tiferet Lakein, Community Rabbi, Congregation Nevei Kodesh