FAIRFIELD — Pouring rain failed to dampen the spirts of a small group of families huddled on the Sherman Green gazebo to light a menorah on the third night of Hanukkah Sunday.
Neither did three masked men, who carrying Nazi flags and shouting obscenities, tried to disrupt the ceremony until they fled when police arrived.
Masked Men Disrupt Chanukah Ceremony with Nazi Flags
FAIRFIELD — Pouring rain failed to dampen the spirts of a small group of families huddled on the Sherman Green gazebo to light a menorah on the third night of Hanukkah Sunday.
Neither did three masked men, who carrying Nazi flags and shouting obscenities, tried to disrupt the ceremony until they fled when police arrived.
“I’m glad I was there,” said Fairfield First Selectman Kenneth Flatto.
So was Rabbi Shlame Landa who staged the ceremony for Chabad of Fairfield.
“It’s important to see we don’t back down from spreading goodness and light,” said Landa.
The men, dressed in black, showed up just as the ceremony was beginning, stayed on the sidewalk about 20 yards from the gazebo. Each carried a flag held in outstretched arms. One flag bore a swastika, another an iron cross.
From his vantage point, Flatto said he could hear obscenities, but never felt threatened. He did, however, call police.
In the interim, a number of passers-by not involved in the ceremony started yelling at the masked men. Some waved at the menorah lighters. A few joined in the ceremony.
When police showed up, the men left in a car headed west on the Post Road with police trailing behind them. It is unclear if the men were stopped by police.
Flatto said he came to the ceremony to show his support. He said it was important to acknowledge and celebrate as many religions and ethnicities as possible.
“These people came to try and mar a ceremony,” he said of the masked men. “They did not succeed. Everyone there pretty much ignored that and focused on what is good about the holiday … a celebration of the festival of lights.”
Landa said it wasn’t a stretch to feel a little by like the Maccabees — on whom the story of Hanukkah is based. After battling religious persecution in 60 B.C.E., a small band of Jews lit a nine branched candelabra called a menorah to help resanctify their temple. The menorah is lit each night during the eight-day festival.
“We continue that battle,” said Landa. “The way we chose to battle darkness is to add a little bit more light. By doing a little bit more goodness is how we fight people who hate. That is what we tried to do tonight.”
Landa has been planning the menorah lighting for weeks and secured a permit from the town Park and Recreation Department. He had hoped to have many more than the 20 or so who braved a freezing rain. He said he wasn’t really focused on what was occurring on the sidewalk, but did notice the numbers in the gazebo seemed to swell a bit toward the end of the short ceremony, which included the lighting of a 9-foot portable menorah, followed by songs and refreshments.
“I told my wife, Miriam, on the way home, if (the masked men) came out in the rain, how much more does it say that we have to be there,” he added. “We really had to be there tonight. If not, they would have won half the battle.”
undercover chusid
Chazak V’amatz!! Moshiach Now!
MaddinBklyn
The one on the right is the mosser yoshke(shuky)gur, the middle one is the mosser yakov shatz, and the one on the left is the mosser shneur rotem, all of whom testified againts the Shomrim six. jihad.info clearly has them as touring in a mobile home during the days of hanukah.
Mendel
Yemach Shemom!
yikes!
Wow that is frightening! My kids would have been terrified!
red
the color of the flag was yellow ?
oyoy
It says the small band of Jews lit a nine branched menorah in the temple but it didn’t have nine branches.
Apalled
The COWARDS covered their faces with masks!!! Maybe they are ashamed of themselves? THEY SHOULD BE!!!!!!!!!
Rochy
It is an inspiration to see how one can turn darkness into light. We should all learn to raise our heads high, and never succumb to negativity. Happy Chanukah!
Only One
Only the one on the right looks like a Nazi flag. What are the other two?
Dave
the emblem in middle was a pin nazis wore
lady
They are all Nazi symbols. One is the SS flag with skull and crossbones and the other is the Iron Cross which is also a German symbol that Hitler resurrected to prominence during his reign.
To -only one-
The one on the left is the SS Nazi flag. The one in the middle is the German military flag from WWII
Will
How come nobody removed their masks for them? I would have gladly done it for them then wrecked them the instant they balked.
I hate Jews
I guess you all have issues with the Constitution as well? After all, they had/have the right to protest anything that they wish as long as no laws were broken. I knowthat no laws have been broken, no matter how much the local kikes, I mean Jews (LOL) want there to be some legal ramifications. Sorry, nothing was done wrong and they were well with in their rights to hold this protest. If you don’t like it, go to Israel and leave a country that still holds value in a citizens freedom.
Patricia Welch
This comment is in reply to the person who has strong views but simply identifies by the name “i hate jews”. Such a strong viewpoint should come with your real name!
Anyhoo, how DID you become such a sad and sorry human.Unable to see the joy in anything? Can’t stand to see others celebrating? It’s called depression. Do everyone a favor, see a therapist.
And by the way my REAL name is Patricia Welch, and I think Chanukah celebrations are great!
Sincerely,
Patricia Welch
Sarasota, Florida
Mike
The one in the middle is a First World War German Army battle flag. A flag which many German Jews fought under. It’s absurd when anti-Semites claim it, but also sad when the bravery and honor of those soldiers in the past is forgotten or discounted. The patriotism of German Jews in Imperial Germany should not be ignored or marginalized. It’s a stunning argument against the Nazi claim that German Jews were outsiders when in reality they were a strong and vibrant part of the German nation.