Ryder Ransom, 11, holds up his candle while singing Hanukkah songs during the fifth annual public menorah lighting ceremony at the Lynnwood City Hall on Monday. About 100 people gathered to sing, eat and celebrate the third night of Hanukkah. (Daniella Beccaria / The Herald)

Ryder Ransom, 11, holds up his candle while singing Hanukkah songs during the fifth annual public menorah lighting ceremony at the Lynnwood City Hall on Monday. About 100 people gathered to sing, eat and celebrate the third night of Hanukkah. (Daniella Beccaria / The Herald)

Chabad Jewish Center hosts menorah lighting to celebrate Hanukkah

LYNNWOOD — Despite the downpour and cold, a crowd gathered around the 9-foot-tall menorah.

People stood shoulder to shoulder holding small, white candles.

A woman used her flame to light other’s candles.

“Thank you for sharing your light,” a man said.

A strong gust blew out one of the candles on the lofty gold menorah.

Rabbi Berel Paltiel, co-director of the Chabad Jewish Center of Snohomish County, stood on a ladder to relight it.

“With a small candle, a small good deed, we can bring light into the world,” Paltiel said.

Everyone cheered at the once again lively flame.

The Chabad Jewish Center of Snohomish County hosted its fifth annual menorah lighting. About 100 people gathered in front of Lynnwood City Hall for the event.

A family of four from Renton drove up for the celebration. Scarlett, 6, danced with her older brother to upbeat Jewish songs.

They joined eight million people from more than 80 different countries in the Jewish Festival of Lights.

Each night of Hanukkah, a single candle is lit on the menorah. By the eighth night, the menorah is in full bloom.

The idea behind the holiday is sharing light.

Though one candle is lit each day at sundown, it does not diminish the original candle’s flame.

“You can share with other people and it won’t take away from your light,” Paltiel said.

He has spent his life sharing with others and bringing together a community.

Paltiel and his wife, Goldie, co-director of the center, moved to Lynnwood more than four years ago.

They were living in Crown Heights in Brooklyn, New York.

“It’s a Chabad neighborhood,” Paltiel said.

Townhome-style houses with stoops tower over narrow roads. During Hanukkah, menorahs sit in every window and front door lighting the streets below.

Crown Heights is home of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, a grand rabbi and leader in Jewish communities.

“He inspired all his students to recognize the best thing we could do in life is to be of service,” Paltiel said. “The message is really universal in terms of spreading love.”

Paltiel said he aims to bring warmth from Crown Heights to Lynnwood.

This year, Paltiel invited Lynnwood Police Chief Tom Davis to speak. Davis has been with the department for three months.

Police across the country have had a challenging year, Paltiel said. The Jewish center wanted to honor local police officers for their work.

There is a saying in the Lynnwood Police Department, Davis said. Whenever something good or funny happens, an officer says “That’s why I work here.”

Monday’s celebration is an example of why he works in Lynnwood, Davis said.

“What they do is in line with the message of the menorah,” Paltiel said. “They’re ambassadors of light.”

Though life brings challenges, Paltiel said the menorah lighting gives hope.

“We see what’s going on in the world, and obviously you have to deal with darkness, but the most effective way to deal with that is with kindness and friendship.”

Caitlin Tompkins: 425-339-3192; ctompkins@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, delivers the annual state of the city address Thursday morning in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on March 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
At Everett mayor’s keynote speech: $35 entry, Boeing sponsorship

The city won’t make any money from the event, city spokesperson Simone Tarver said. Still, it’s part of a trend making open government advocates wary.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.