Over 400 people participated Monday in a public Menorah lighting in Vilna, Lithuania, headed by the Shliach Rabbi Sholom Ber Krinsky.
This is the 14th annual public lighting to take place in front of Vilna’s government offices. Rabbis from the Central European Rabbinate attended, including Rabbi Gershon Mendel Gorelik – head of the Rabbinical court in Milan, Rabbi Yaakov David Schmahl – Dayan of Shomrei Hadas of Antwerp, and Rabbi Levi Matusof.
The day of the event was quite rainy, however the rain stopped just in time for the Menorah lighting.
The event was chaired by Rabbi Krinsky, who introduced the mayor of Vilna, Mr. Jouzas Imbrasas. The mayor announced that Vilna is proud to be one of the 2500 cities that boast a public menorah. In 2009 Vilna will be the ‘European capital of culture,’ and as they are starting off the year with the festival of lights, this is a good sign, he said.
The Deputy Ambassador to the US gave his good wishes and Rabbi Schmahl said words of blessing, saying that a bit light fights a lot of darkness. He blessed the Vilna Jewish community to continue being proud of the Torah.
Mayor of Vilna, Mr. Jouzas Imbrasas, was honored to light the shamash, and Rabbi Gorelik lit the two candles. Rabbi Krinsky recited the brochos.
Doughnuts and Menorahs were distributed, and the celebration ended with a magic show and a fireworks display.
Assisting in the event preparations in Vilna were Mendy Karniel and Getzi Rosenfeld who traveled especially from the Chabad Yeshiva in Warsaw, Poland – a 10 hour drive away.
