Light and unity radiate at Cranberry’s annual Chanukah Celebration
CRANBERRY TWP — Rabbi Yossi Feller shared his personal connection to events thousands of miles away Tuesday, Dec. 16, at the township’s annual Chanukah Celebration.
Feller was jolted awake early Sunday by his wife, Leah, with news a relative had been injured in a terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.
On what marked the first day of Hanukkah, he learned that his brother-in-law’s younger brother, Rabbi Leibel Lazaroff, was shot in the abdomen and thigh while attending a Chanukah by the Sea event organized by the Chabad of Bondi.
“It’s definitely been one of the more difficult Hanukkahs in my life,” said Feller, who serves as the director of the Chabad Jewish Center of Cranberry.
At least 15 people died, including Feller’s colleague and event organizer Rabbi Eli Schlanger, and more than 40 were injured in what local officials referred to as a targeted attack on the Jewish community. Police said the ages of the victims who died ranged from 10 to 87 years old.
The couple, however, received positive news their relative was stabilized after several emergency surgeries. Feller said that he’s now “awake and in good spirits.”
“He has a long road to recovery — both physically and what he went through emotionally — but he definitely will make a full recovery with some scars, obviously,” he said. “I look forward to seeing him.”
Despite a tragedy that rippled through Jewish communities worldwide, Feller and his family still worked up the strength to lead the annual Chanukah Celebration and menorah lighting at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center.
“It wasn’t just an attack on the Jews of Sydney,” Feller said. “It was an attack on Jewish people worldwide. We’re all one people. We mourn together and we will again celebrate together.”
Families and township leaders, including members of the board of supervisors, came together to observe the third night of Hanukkah, which commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of light lasting eight days.
The night began on the Armstrong Great Lawn with prayers and songs followed by the ceremonial lighting of the 9-foot menorah.
“It’s just one more event that can bring another group of people together in our community to celebrate their heritage,” said Supervisors Chairman Bruce Hezlep, who participated by lighting the shamash, the main candle in the menorah that helps light the others.
“This is something that Jack Cohen — a longtime resident of Cranberry Township — brought to us several years ago,” Hezlep said. “We’ve been lighting the Christmas tree, so it’s a natural extension of the holiday season.”
One of the most anticipated moments followed as the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company conducted the annual gelt drop, sending dozens of children scrambling for chocolate coins.
“Everybody loves a firetruck, right? Young and old alike.” Hezlep said. “It’s fun to see the kids charging out and getting the candy afterward.”
Following the outdoor events, the festivities moved indoors, where attendees enjoyed traditional Hanukkah treats, face painting, prizes, a photo booth and a variety of other family-friendly activities.
Feller expressed gratitude to Cranberry officials and thanked local fire and police personnel for helping create a safe and welcoming environment for those in attendance.
“This is the first time we had a chance to celebrate this event on the Armstrong Lawn and it’s really beautiful,” he said. “We’re very grateful to everyone who came out in support of the Jewish community.”
