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Union celebrates Hanukkah

As dusk fell outside District Council 37’s headquarters on Dec. 4, Rabbi Alvin Kass, Senior Chaplain at the Police Dept. and a member of Local 299, repeated an ancient Hebrew blessing as he lit the first candle on the Hanukkah menorah, the first light of the weeklong Festival of Lights. Then he led the participants gathered for the ceremony through the stanzas of the time-honored Hanukkah hymn, the Maoz Tzur, or “Rock of Ages,” which is traditionally sung after kindling the Hanukkah lights.

Jewish Heritage Committee Chair Dr. Leonard Davidman, the president of Local 1189, welcomed participants to the annual celebration and acknowledged the work of the committee members.

This year, he adopted a different approach from his usual learned reflections on the story of Hanukkah, by adding a light touch. “Jewish history can be summed up in a nutshell,” he said. “They tried to kill us. We won. Let’s eat!” And the group adjourned for the customary latkes (potato pancakes) and sweets.

The story of Hanukkah symbolizes the fight for freedom of religion and more broadly, the ongoing drive for other human freedoms. DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts spoke about the connections Hanukkah forges for sisterhood and brotherhood.

“This is a time when we all are able to offer thanks for all of the many blessings that have occurred throughout the year,” she said.

Rabbi Kass underscored the message. “The theme that brings us together is what unites us all within the union family,” he observed. “This is what the union is all about. The story of Hanukkah is a tremendous story of the struggle for human freedom. We are all here to share in each other’s experiences,” he said.