Chanukah
Public Menorah lighting in Vacaville's downtown a first for Solano County
By Danny Bernardini
Posted: 12/14/2009 01:00:43 AM PST
Chelsea Lopez and Marisa Arroyo, of Vacaville, hold Hanukkah candles at the Menorah on Main celebration held Sunday evening in downtown Vacaville. (Gilberto Ramirez/Special to The Reporter) The clouds parted Sunday evening in downtown Vacaville, just in time for the first-ever public lighting of a Menorah in Solano County.
"Hanukkah is a holiday where we celebrate miracles," said Joel Fine, host of the event. "It's amazing it's not raining right now."
After a day of rain, it was blue skies over Town Square as about 150 people joined in song, dance and conversation as Vacaville hosted the first Menorah on Main celebration. Put on by the newly-established Chabad: Solano County, the public display highlighted the second day of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
The evening was anchored by the lighting of a large menorah by Mayor Len Augustine and Rabbi Chaim Zaklos finished the job after singing traditional blessings. The crowd soon bellied up for potato latkes and other treats while children took part in crafts.
"How beautiful that Americans have the freedom to publicly celebrate," Zaklos told the group before the lighting. "We share this message for Jews and non-Jews. We are one nation under God and freedom and liberty to all." Zaklos said honesty, morality and goodness were virtues being celebrated. He said it was emotional to see the celebration, something that came about in a few months since the organization started in Vacaville.
"It's a historic event," he said. "This happens in Brooklyn. This happens in New York City. This is the greatest way to bring the celebration to the public." He told the group that instead of the security cameras downtown, there was someone more important watching and listening.
"God is not a religious concept," he said. "It's a part of life."
Also attending the event were elected officials from local, county and state government. Augustine was joined by Councilwoman Dilena Harris, Solano County Supervisor John Vasquez and Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada. Vasquez said he's seen Vacaville evolve as diversity has spread over past decades and was happy to welcome yet another group to the area.
"We want a community rich with culture," he said. "And be inclusive and accepting."
Augustine later joked there were some ulterior motives behind his backing of bringing the event to the area. "Down the road, I want to see a Jewish delicatessen here," he said, prompting a large round of applause.