Chanukah Parade to Bring Festive Spirit to Greater Hartford

When Rabbi Moshe Hecht mounted his bulky Menorah candelabra atop his station wagon, he could not have imagined that one day such displays would become a trend. It was the mid-1980’s and Rabbi Hecht, who directed the New Haven Hebrew Day School (now known as the Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy) simply wanted to create some holiday excitement for the students. Today, placing a Menorah on one’s car still draws some attention, but the concept is gaining traction.

This year, the neighboring city of Hartford is taking things to the next level. Several Jewish centers are joining forces to create the Chanukah Parade, a large procession of Menorah-mounted vehicles. The parade will roll through key spots in West Hartford, Downtown, and Glastonbury.

“Chanukah is a joyous time and the Menorah is a universal symbol of freedom,” explains Rabbi Yosef Wolvovsky, Executive Director of the Benet Rothstein Chabad Jewish Center in Glastonbury. “The goal of this parade is to increase the awareness and joy of this festival.” The Rabbi adds that Chabad is hosting tens of free events throughout the region this Chanukah. It is his hope, he says, that the Chanukah Parade will encourage local residents to take part in the celebration which begins at sundown on Tuesday, December 16.

The parade, consisting of a procession of “Car Menorahs,” is scheduled for Monday, December 15, at 5:30pm. It will kick off from the parking lot of Crown Market in West Hartford (2471 Albany Avenue) and conclude at the Chabad Jewish Center in Glastonbury (25 Harris Street) at 7:30pm. There, participants will be treated to a Chanukah Treasure Hunt and a Gourmet Latke Bar. “Latkes,” or pancakes, are a traditional food of the festival.

The route of the Chanukah Parade will take the Menorah-mounted vehicles through many regional “hot spots,” including Bishops Corner (5:30pm), West Hartford Center (5:50pm), Blue Back Square (6:10pm), Downtown Hartford (6:30pm), and Somerset Square in Glastonbury (7:00pm). “We want to be where the people are and offer everyone an opportunity to celebrate,” says Wolvovsky.

In addition to creating awareness and adding some festive spirit, the procession will also serve a very practical purpose. Parade participants will be handing out free Celebrate Chanukah! Kits to anyone who wants one. “The candles of the Menorah highlight the idea that every one of us can add light and goodness to the world,” says Rabbi Shaya Gopin, Educational Director at the Chabad House. “Every person is important and every act is significant.” The kits include a table-top Menorah, a colorful box of candles, a comprehensive holiday guide, a Dreidle, and some chocolate Chanukah coins (“Gelt”).

Four decades after Rabbi Hecht adorned his station wagon with his PVC creation, the Car Menorahs roll on. Organizers of the Chanukah Parade hope they can take things to the next level. “In our age of social media and instant communication, we are able to create awareness on a whole new level,” said Rabbi Yehuda Matusof, Youth Director at Chabad. “A line of cars with Menorahs on top might just light a positive spark under someone.”

For more information about the Greater Hartford Chanukah Parade, or to order your free Celebrate Chanukah! Kit, please call (860) 659-2422, email Rabbi@ChabadER.com, or log on to www.ChabadER.com.

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EVENT SUMMARY
Event: Greater Hartford Chanukah Parade
Highlight: Procession of “Car Menorahs” travel from West Hartford to Glastonbury
When: Monday, December 15
Time: 5:30pm
Beginning Location: Parking lot of Crown Market (2471 Albany Ave., West Hartford)
Key Stops: Bishops Corner, West Hartford Center, Blue Back Square, Downtown Hartford, Somerset Square (Glastonbury), Benet Rothstein Chabad Jewish Center
Phone: (860) 659-2422
Email: Rabbi@ChabadER.com
Web: www. ChabadER.com

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