Crowd assembles at Baylor College of Medicine for third night of Chanukah
More than 150 people gathered in front of Baylor College of Medicine Tuesday evening, Dec. 16, for the light of their faces to join the flickering lights of the menorah on the third night of Chanukah.
The menorah has been present at the Texas Medical Center for 35 years. This year’s celebration brought together medical faculty, patients, families and local community members for a grand lighting and evening of unity.
The evening featured inspiring words from Rabbi Peretz and Mushky Lazaroff, Rabbi Lazer Lazaroff and Baylor president and CEO Dr. Paul Klotman. Words of Torah and prayer for those killed and injured at Australia’s Bondi Beach menorah-lighting were led by an enthusiastic group of boys and girls. Community pillar and dermatologist Dr. Leonard Goldberg was honored with lighting the menorah.
In a moving display of unity, each person in the crowd held a candle. As Dr. Goldberg lit the first candle, a flame was passed from candle to candle throughout the audience – a powerful symbol of their inner souls illuminating one another and together dispelling the darkness. In reflection, Dr. Klotman said, “Growing up, I always knew the importance of the shamash, as it lights up the other candles.”
The festivities featured delicious latkes and sufganiyot, fun holiday crafts and giveaways, mitzvah opportunities and an exciting fire-juggling performance by Claude Sims that captivated children and adults alike. Enhanced security measures were in place for the event.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, introduced the concept of public menorah lightings in 1974, celebrating the unique religious liberties upon which the United States is built. He emphasized how a public gathering of people spreads light among each other and throughout the entire world.
“Each of us carries a unique soul and a unique light,” said Mushky Lazaroff. “When we come together, we truly have the power to light up the world.”
Located adjacent to the Medical Center is Aishel House, whose mission is to create a space of healing. It provides housing for patients and their families, along with kosher meals for those in the hospital, while supporting people throughout their medical journeys. At the same location, Chabad TMC focuses on programs and events that strengthen Jewish identity, Torah study, and community.
By bringing together community members, doctors and faculty, along with the families of patients, the menorah-lighting brought added warmth and light during what can be challenging times.
“Every mitzvah we do brings powerful light to the world and, now more than ever, we see the importance of doing so openly and proudly, Baruch Hashem,” said Rabbi Peretz Lazaroff.
Standing strong in the face of darkness
The celebration carried particular significance in the wake of recent tragedy. “‘Let my soul be redeemed in peace, for the multitudes are with me,’ prays King David,” said Rabbi Lazer Lazaroff.
Rabbi Lazer Lazaroff brought to mind the critical hospitalization of his nephew, Rabbi Leibel Lazaroff, as well as the murder of his colleagues, Rabbi Eli Schlanger and Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, both Chabad rabbis in Sydney. “At a time when there are those who seek to extinguish the light of the menorah and the Jewish people, we must transform those very forces of darkness into sources of light, increasing in light with acts of good deeds, Torah and mitzvot,” said Rabbi Lazer Lazaroff.
“The menorah is kindled at the window and door, and here in this case, entirely outside. We are tasked with bringing the light we have inside out into the public domain, standing taller, stronger and prouder than ever, until the world will be entirely filled with light and peace with the imminent arrival of Moshiach.”
“Despite the horror in Sydney, ours was an incredibly joyous, festive and secure celebration of light,” said Danny Goldberg. Indeed, what better way to celebrate than by uniting forces and lighting up the world – one candle, one mitzvah, one act of kindness at a time.
In addition to the menorah-lighting, attendees had the opportunity to lay tefillin, spread kindness by decorating cards for patients at Aishel House and take home their own menorahs and Shabbat candles.