Hallie Woods-Coloradoan.com
Dozens of people celebrated both diversity and Hanukkah on Monday night as members of the Fort Collins community lighted a large menorah in Old Town Square.
Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, a guest of honor, lighted the Shamash, the first candle used to light the other eight candles on the menorah.
“There is no nation that celebrates religious pluralism like we do,” Suthers said.
Fort Collins dignitaries Mayor Doug Hutchinson and state Reps. Randy Fischer and John Kefalas stood by as Suthers and two members of the Jewish community used the Shamash to light the first two candles on the menorah to celebrate the second night of Hanukkah.
“I just wanted to be part of the community, enjoy the good food and see friends,” said Judy Petersen, who came to the ceremony with her daughter, Sarah Petersen, 14. “It’s nice to see so many public figures, and I enjoyed their speeches about diversity.”
“Oh Hanukkah, oh Hanukkah; come light the menorah; let’s have a party; we’ll all dance the Horah,” sang the Jewish children’s choir as the group enjoyed hot latkes.
“This holiday is more family-oriented, and being in a public place is the best part,” said Max Brodsky, a sophomore engineering student at CSU and the president of the Chabad Jewish Student Organization on campus.
Rabbi Yerachmiel Gorelik said the event helps foster diversity.
“I enjoy doing this because if we didn’t do it, the Jewish community wouldn’t be able to celebrate Hanukkah publicly,” he said. “We believe if we are comfortable, we make other minorities comfortable.”
Fort Collins residents Mary Ann and Ken Anderson said they came to the event to support diversity.
“We completely disagreed with them trying to stop the lighting of the menorah,” Mary Ann Anderson said. “Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, we support diversity.”
