On Tuesday, December 3, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam participated in the lighting of the Menorah at the Tennessee State Capitol, sponsored by Chabad of Nashville, and the Shluchim Rabbi Yitzchok and Esther Tiechtel.
The Menorah at the TN State Capitol is a commissioned piece of art, designed by a local sculptor, and has been standing at the Capitol every Chanukah since 2003. Over the years, many dignitaries and community leaders have lit the Menorah at the Capitol, including survivors from the Mumbai attacks, senators, mayors, congressmen, and members of the armed forces.
This year, for only the second time in Tennessee State history, a sitting governor lit the State Capitol Menorah, in the presence of the Shluchim or their representatives from across Tennessee, (Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville and Chabad of Vanderbilt University), representatives from the Jewish Federation, members from the Tennessee Senate and House, Judges from the local circuit, lay leaders from across all denominations of the Jewish community, and hundreds of guests.
The event began as the President of Chabad of Nashville, Mr. Tommy Bernard, welcomed the many guests to the lighting of the Menorah, and thanked the Governor for his support of Chabad, and for joining in this year’s Menorah lighting.
Rabbi Tiechtel, the director of Chabad of Nashville, then spoke about the significance of this occasion, as the Tennessee governor joins a select group of governors from across the USA who have lit Chanukah Menorahs at their respective Capitols. He mentioned that the role of the governor, is like the Shamash on the Menorah, being a public servant, one who serves other and dedicates his life to improving the lives of the five millions citizens of Tennessee.
“I consider it a great honor to have all of you here at the capitol,” Governor Haslam remarked and addressed the issue of separation of church and state. “It is our duty to be out here sharing the light with the people. It is events like this that make our society a better place.”
Chabad of Nashville, together with all of the Tennessee Shluchim, presented The Governor and Speaker with a Chanukah gift on behalf of all the Jewish communities across the state, –a beautiful silver Tzedakah box to place on the governors desk in the capitol.
The Governor, together with the shluchim Rabbi Tiechtel and Rabbi Levi Klein then ascended on an electrical platform seventeen feet up in the air, to the light the Capitol Menorah.
The ceremony also featured a musical performance by Sababa, a group of children from the local Jewish Day School who sang a beautiful Chanukah medley, as all enjoyed hot latkes with sufganiot, chocolate gelt, dreidels and Chanukah presents.
Shluchim attending were Rabbi Klein (Head Shliach of Tennesse, and Chabad of Memphis), Rabbi and Mrs. Tiechtel (Chabad of Nashville), Rabbi Shaul Perlstein (Chabad of Chattanooga), Rabbi Yaakov Kapland and Rabbi Zalmy Refson (Rabbinical Interns – Chabad of Nashville).
The event was broadcasted on the local affiliate channels of ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox News.
Levi, You look great with the governor!
A classmate from the Sluchim Online School
It is so beautiful to see the governor of a real southern state interact with Chabad of Nashville in so many ways. With the lighting of the Menorah at the State Capitol, with the cutting of the ribbon at their new building dedication, and with having an open door to the shluchim there.
Keep up the good work Rabbi Yitzchok and Esther Tiechtel.
You are an inspiration to so many.
Wow, we are amazed to see how the Shluchim in Nashville simply do not stop, and keep it going all of the time.
It is so impressive to see the shluchim from across the state of Tennessee come together for this event, even as some had to travel hundreds of miles to be there.
Keep up the good work, we are so proud of you all.
A true Kiddush hashem
Rabbi Tiechtel and his wife Esther have brought about so
many positive changes to their community
This is just one example
Continue your great work as shluchim with hatzlacha