On a dark Tuesday night, a small group huddled together holding candles and clinging onto the light.
Leaders of different faiths came together to celebrate Hanukkah in downtown Greeley. They hosted a menorah lighting in Lincoln Park, where rabbis, government officials, residents and veterans sang praises, ate latkes and took a break from the long year.
“The country’s been through a lot,” said Rabbi Yerachmiel Gorelik, a cheeky Australian who led the ceremony. “People are really worked up. The message of Hanukkah, the lights can shine through that.”
Gorelik is a professor teaching traditional Judaism in Colorado State University’s philosophy department, and he serves as the director at the Chabad of Northern Colorado.
His message and its sentiment was echoed a few times throughout the night.
“Whatever happens is meant to be,” he said. “What we can do is reach out to each other and hold each other.”
Doing so – regardless of different religions or beliefs – is the reason for Hanukkah, said Rabbi Sara Gilbert, who leads Greeley’s Beth Israel Congregation.
She went into the history of the holiday, which started a little more than 2,000 years ago, she said.
A small group of Jewish people called the Maccabees fought the government for their right to worship as they wanted. At the time, Syrian-Greek leaders had banned Judaism – killing thousands of its followers – and put idols in their temples, according to Chabad.org.
Battle broke out between the government and the Maccabees. Despite the odds, the Maccabees won. They took back the temple in Jerusalem, cleared it of idols and went to light a menorah. They had only one day’s worth of oil to burn, but miraculously the oil lasted eight days, which is why the celebration lasts eight days.
Gilbert highlighted the history of religious freedom the Maccabees fought to earn.
“That is our legacy … that respect for differences is so important,” she said. “That’s what the holiday can bring to us.”
Leaders of all kinds – such as dedicated church families and local officials – took turn lighting candles.
Greeley City Councilwoman Sandi Elder represented the city and lit the first candle.
“The menorah serves as a reminder of miracles in our daily lives,” she said.
She pointed out the symbolism could inspire everyone, not just those who practice Judaism, and that now is a good time for it.
“I think we need a little light,” she said.
Tracey Adams, a member of Beth Israel Congregation, said she and her family light their own menorahs at home, but it’s nice to have a public place to celebrate.
“It’s nice to share our holiday with the community,” she said.
This is the annual event’s ninth year, said Assistant City Manager Becky Safarik.
“It’s been a lovely tradition,” she said. “Greeley’s got a rich heritage of faith.”
Leaders also come together for Christmas to put on Greeley Lights the Night, a Christmas parade and tree-lighting ceremony.
A few years ago, Safarik said, Jewish leaders approached the city and asked if they could have a public celebration, too.
“It was an easy thing to say yes to,” she said.
