Fest of Lights and Ice

LOUISVILLE, KY — Chanukkah might be the miracle of light, but a celebration of the Jewish holiday yesterday in Louisville was grounded in cold, hard ice.

The third annual Chanukah on Ice drew more than 250 people to the Iceland Sports Complex off North Hurtsbourne Parkway.

More pictures in the Extneded Article!

Rabbi Avrohom Litvin of Congregation Anshei Sfard said the event offers the public a way to learn more about Judaism. And for others, it’s a way to stay in touch with their faith if they haven’t been to synagogue recently.

“We find a number of Jews who, for whatever reason, don’t feel comfortable in a synagogue situation, who find a way to connect,” he said.

Hanukkah began at sundown Tuesday, and the last of eight candles will be lit tomorrow evening.

At yesterday’s event, children spun like dreidels on the ice rink, played games, ate food and even took home some prizes. Litvin said attendance has grown each year since the local celebration started in 2005, and he said the ice theme makes sense because the holiday represents the triumph of light over darkness, and warmth over cold.

Litvin also is director of Chabad of Kentucky. The group’s parent organization has sponsored thousands of similar events around the world since the first one in Florida in 1997.

Naftali Michalowsky, who lives in the St. Matthews area, said yesterday’s event was a hit with his children, ages 4, 2 and 6 months. He said they enjoyed being with the other kids and were especially pleased with the doughnuts.

Fran Winchell, who brought her five teenage grandchildren, said the event offered a chance to meet with other people and celebrate faith and diversity.

Gov. Ernie Fletcher underscored the diversity message. In one of his last public acts in office, he came to the ice rink and lit a menorah.

“It says a lot about the governor,” Litvin said of Fletcher’s appearance. “It drives a message home to the children, how lucky they are to be Americans in a country that supports faith of all kinds.”