The author and homeless advocate who spearheaded efforts to replace a vandalized menorah at the San Diego State University Chabad House was seeing it lit Thursday on the first night of Hanukkah.
He and several hundred others cheered amid tragic times for Jews in Israel and around the world.
After the previous menorah was torn down, Soper told Times of San Diego, “I said we’re going to get the biggest, largest, strongest menorah – made out of steel.”
The new menorah at San Diego State University Chabad House. Credit: Times of San Diego.
The lighting — via turns of two keys at the base of the candelabra — brought to life flickering electric lights 20 feet up, blue as in the color of Israel.
The Jewish state’s travails were uppermost in many speakers’ minds.
Prayers were recited in Hebrew and English for the Israel Defense Forces at war with Hamas in Gaza. The 130-plus hostages were remembered.
Rep. Sara Jacobs, who noted her being (at 34) the youngest Jewish member of Congress, said: “We do not shy away. We are not afraid. We know that it is our unique responsibility to find the light in the darkness. And that is what Hanukkah teaches us.”
After lauding the beauty and resilience of her faith community, the woman who represents SDSU in the 51st Congressional District closed: “So this Hanukkah, I’m reminded of our sacred task to repair the world and to bring warmth and light to even the darkest corners.”
Labeled “Rally for Light,” the event was held outside the Chabad House on Rockford Drive, with San Diego police (and former Police Chief Shelly Zimmerman) a visible presence.
