Menorah joins the tree on the mall
 

12/19/2006 10:00:00 PM 

	Let there be light: Rabbi Yitzchok Bergstein lights the menorah with help from Kevin Jaffe last Friday. Photo by Josh Hawkins

By MARTY STEMPNIAK

The giant Christmas tree on the Marion Street mall in downtown Oak Park just picked up a new friend in the form of an 8-foot-tall menorah.

The Illinois chapter of Lubavitch Chabad, a movement within Orthodox Judaism, erected the nine-branched candelabra Dec. 15 to celebrate the beginning of the Jewish holiday Hanukkah.

"Hanukkah, the festival of lights, is the story of the victory of good over evil, light over dark and freedom of religion over persecution of religion," Rabbi Yitzchok Bergstein said. "This menorah represents the message that our wonderful country stands for: freedom of religion."

The occasion marked the first time a menorah was displayed publicly in Oak Park's history, according to Bergstein. Local Jews attending the event expressed delight over the menorah's display.

"This is a very auspicious occasion," said Jerry Dichter of Oak Park. "I'm just very happy; this means a lot to us. We have overcome a lot of adversity."

The tradition of Hanukkah began over 21 centuries ago when the Syrians ruled Israel and attempted to force Greek culture onto the Israelites. According to legend, a small band of Jews (the Maccabees) was able to drive the powerful Greek army out of Jerusalem and reclaim the Holy Temple.

The Jews wanted to light the temple lamps after regaining the temple, but a single bottle of oil was all that was left. Somehow, the one day supply kept the lamps burning for eight days.

To celebrate the miracle, the Jews started Hanukkah, lighting one candle on the menorah each night.

"It's nice to have a public display of Jewishness here in Oak Park," said Gary Belenke, 55, an Oak Parker for 20 years. "I really appreciate it."

Stephanie Jaffe, 37, of Oak Park agreed.

"I think it's wonderful to have the menorah right in the middle of downtown Oak Park to bring the joy of Hanukkah to the community," Jaffe said. "We're so excited that [Lubavitch] Chabad has come to Oak Park to bring more Jewish programs to the community."

The organization is working to establish a Jewish support center in Oak Park, according to Bergstein.

Erecting the menorah in the Marion Street pedestrian mall wasn't as flipping the switch on the back of the giant menorah to illuminate the first light. Bergstein said the process involved a lot of red tape, but Village Clerk Sandra Sokol and the Village of Oak Park were very accommodating.

According to Jan Jankowski, records coordinator for the village clerk's office, the process consists of four steps: first you must fill out an application for a special event. Second, you sign up for liability insurance. Third, you obtain a permit for a temporary structure, and fourth you apply for a street obstruction permit.

The steps may sound arduous, but Jankowski said it's typical of any event.

"The forms are necessary for any area of Oak Park to draw out facts concerning the nature of any event," Jankowski said. "So far the people I've worked with [from Lubavitch Chabad] have been very cooperative. It's not a typical request, but it was certainly a pleasant experience."

Bergstein sees the lighting of the first menorah candle and the beginning of a possible annual tradition in Oak Park as symbolic of something more significant.

"We hope that, once we have it here, we'll be able to put it here every year in the public eye," Bergstein said about the menorah. "That's the whole message of Hanukah: bringing light to the outside.

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