Park Ridge celebrates Hanukkah at menorah lighting in Uptown

Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune
Updated ·2 min read
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Park Ridge city officials helped light a menorah in the city’s Uptown for the eighth night of Hanukkah on Thursday.

About 50 people attended the lighting, organized by Rabbi Lazer Hershkovich. He asked the attendees to close their eyes and think about the hostages taken during the Israel-Hamas war. “Friends, you need to be their light. We need to be their light,” he said.

Hershkovich invited Park Ridge Mayor Marty Maloney to light the shamash, or helper candle, in the middle of the menorah. Hershkovich also invited his family, as well as other Park Ridge leaders, to light the candles, and invited children to light the last two candles.

Fifth Ward Alderman Joseph Steinfels spoke at the lighting and said the Hanukkah lights are meant to bring light to others. “Let us pray that the message of the Hanukkah lights will illuminate the everyday life of everyone personally and of the society at large, for a brighter life in every respect, both materially and spiritually, with esteem and blessings in the spirit.”

Retired Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Teacher Karen Rosenbluh said the traditional latkes and Jewish doughnuts, sufganiyot, which were set out for attendees to enjoy, are cooked in oil in honor of the miracle of Hanukkah that allowed one jar of oil to last for eight days, when it was supposed last one day during an invasion of ancient Israel.

There was also gelt, chocolate coins covered in gold-colored foil, another Hanukkah tradition.

Rosenbluh said this year, many Jews were also lighting up an additional candle on the side of the menorah to represent the hostages. “It’s all about unity,” she said. “And our survival throughout the centuries.”

Valerie Malinkovich and her son Jacob Malinkovich, of Glenview, attended the menorah lighting together, as members of Hershkovich’s congregation. Jacob Malinkovich said menorah lightings are usually a family tradition, but he was drawn to celebrate it publicly in a more social setting.

“We’ve known the rabbi and his family for many years,” Valerie Malinkovich said. “Rabbi Lazer and his wife Rivky are just so kind-hearted — they would do anything for anyone. They organize throughout the year to help others in need; they give back to the elderly and sick. There’s no better place where we could publicly share the last night of Hanukkah.”