Community member Ron Kirchler lit the giant menorah in front of Park Place in Flossmoor Park for the fourth night of Hanukkah on Sunday, Dec. 10.
(Nick Ulanowski/H-F Chronicle)
A different community member is lighting the menorah every day of Hanukkah. Flossmoor Village events manager Stephanie Wright assisted Kirchler. She instructed Kirchler to tap the electric candles on the menorah with another electric candle before he added it last.
Kirchler was joined on stage by his grandchildren and other family members.
“I have a mixed marriage. We celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas. And for these little guys, they don’t really know Hanukkah,” Kirchler said, referring to his grandchildren. “So, this is a nice taste for them this weekend.”
About a dozen audience members, including but not limited to village officials and Jewish community members, watched as Kirchler lit the menorah. With a microphone in his hand, he read a prayer in Hebrew and English. Some audience members quietly recited the Hebrew prayer along with him.
“Blessed art thou, our lord, our god, kingdom of the universe, who worked miracles for our fathers in days of old at this season,” Kirchler said.
Gloria Lippert, recipient this year of the Solomon Award from the National Council of Jewish Women, was among those in the audience.
Lippert said the village of Flossmoor lighting candles for Hanukkah and Kwanzaa is “really wonderful” and “making the community feel more seen and welcome.”
“In a melting pot, everything gets blurred. But in a salad bowl, everything stays distinct, and you still get all the flavors. You still can recognize the different elements. And I think that’s a more fitting description of our community,” Lippert said regarding Flossmoor’s diversity.
The Flossmoor police officers were among those in the audience.
“We’re going to continue to establish robust partnerships with the men, women and children in our community. And part of our presence tonight is to support Hanukkah and also to be here as a visible presence,” Flossmoor Police Chief Jerel Jones said. “This is a wonderful holiday season and I’m looking forward to continuing to celebrate the holiday season.”