‘Crocs’ Menorah Lit in Boulder

by Lisa Napell Dicksteen

It was the sixth night of Chanukah and the temperature was warm but the winds were fierce, with gusts strong enough to fly a kindergartener as a kite.

By 5:30pm the grand menorah had been erected and weighted down with sandbags, dozens of doughnuts had been devoured, and hundreds of multi-colored light-up dreidel-shaped glasses and small blue menorah pendant necklaces had been handed out to the expectant crowd.

This year’s menorah, dedicated to the victims of the September flooding in Boulder county, was covered in Crocs, the ubiquitous plastic shoes created and popularized by the Boulder-based company, which donated their shoes not only as menorah-décor, but, working with Chabad of Boulder, gave out multiple pairs to those affected by the flooding, many of whom picked up their gifts at the menorah lighting.

Chany Scheiner, co-director of Chabad Lubovitch of Boulder County, the organizers of the annual event, said, “Chanukah carries a universal message, which is to increase the amount of light in the world by performing acts of goodness and kindness. The custom is to light the menorah in view of a window facing the public, in order to spread this warm and positive message. Lighting it in a public venue such as the Pearl Street Mall multiplies and enhances that objective, something that is especially important this year when Chanukah serves as a reminder that even in the wake of flooding and disaster comes the light of renewal and maybe even a miracle or two.”

Denver-based singer, songwriter, Cantorial soloist, and Jewish music educator, Steve Brodsky, whose upbeat, engaging Chanukah concerts have been well-loved Boulder events for many years, braved the weather as he has for many years to share his musical talents with the crowd and, despite having to lash his speakers to the light posts, gave a warm and wonderful concert of familiar and original Chanukah music.

Boaz Meir of the Jewish National Fund was given the honor of lighting the huge menorah – something that is usually fairly simple, but which proved quite a task this year as each candle lit was quickly extinguished by the wind.

Eventually, after spending far more time on a ladder in the wind than he had signed up for, he got all the lights lit long enough for a quick-reflexed photographer to capture as proof and climbed down. The volunteers who’d been holding both the ladder and the menorah were able to relax and, as the last light was blown out by the wind, the happy crowd began to disperse.

Photos: Bruce Shaffer of Hidden Sparks Photography