The first public menorah lighting on Hartford’s Main Street — and perhaps anywhere in the city — took place just after 5 PM on December 30, 2024.
[If anyone can find proof to the contrary, I would love to see it as before I knew this event was in the works, I had been scouring records to see If there had been any hanukkiah lightings besides in private homes and businesses, or inside of synagogues and yeshivas — back when the latter operated within city limits.]
This was part of Radiance: A Festival of Lights hosted by the Amistad Center and Wadsworth Atheneum.
Dr. Sarah Anita Clunis, executive director of the Amistad Center, provided opening remarks for the event that celebrated both Chanukah and Kwanzaa, which are happening at the same time this year. She invited visitors to go inside the museum after the lighting to participate in family-centered activities and enjoy the kosher food that included latkes and fried plantains. Indoors is also where the Kwanzaa kinara was located.
After some short speeches, the lighting began. The menorah was provided by Chabad of Greater Hartford.
Attendees sang the two Chanukah blessings.
And then the long lighting of six candles began, with wind making for a challenge.
How many rabbis does it take to light a menorah?
I didn’t get the grand total, but at least two this time, possibly three.
The wind was no joke.
Singing of “Maoz Tzur” followed the lighting.
Then, it was time for everyone to pose for photos.
For years, I wanted to see something like this happen in Hartford. The way others get nostalgic about The Whalers, G. Fox, and the Constitution Plaza lights is how I have felt about Hartford’s cultural losses largely prompted by the destruction of the East Side neighborhoods through highway development, slum clearance, and creation of Constitution Plaza, combined with the pull of suburban expansion.
This is the first season in decades — maybe more like a couple generations at this point — where Hanukkah was given treatment better than mere lip service in Hartford. I’m looking forward to seeing how this energy continues in future years.
