Rabbi Ahron Fajnland of the Chabad Jewish Center of Reston- Herndon lights the oil pots on the menorah in the Town of Herndon. It serves as a symbol and message of the triumph of freedom over oppression, spirit over matter, light over darkness.
One of the traditions that is widespread among people of faith is celebrating the holidays with light. As sunset neared on Dec. 10 in the Town of Herndon, a crowd gathered in the pouring rain near the Old Town Hall on Elden Street, where an unlit menorah stood.
“It’s a good mix of community, not just those of the Jewish faith,” said town councilmember Keven LeBlanc, who attended the event.
According to speaker Sheila Olem, mayor of the town of Herndon, who welcomed the crowd, brothers Arthur and Howard Nachman brought the menorah lighting to the Town Hall Square many years ago. Olem thanked the families of the Nachman brothers for donating the menorah for the public lighting.
Sharon Nachman survives her husband, Arthur. Nachman told the crowd that Chanukah is about a miracle, and when she and Arthur lived in Memphis, they celebrated Chanukah with a couple who were very special to them.
“Mr. and Mrs. Diament were living their own miracle. They were Holocaust survivors,” Nachman said. “Mrs. Diament would say, ‘When you have been through what we have been through, every day is a miracle.’ She would remind us that miracles happen every day all around us and that we should look for them.”
Nachman said that last December when Arthur’s health was failing, he knew that he was not physically able to light the menorah every night. “The miracle of friendship, Lisa and Keith Goldman, and Jen and Jon Savitch stepped up to help. Arthur and I were very grateful,” she said.
Arthur Nachman died in July of this year after a thirty-year battle with cancer. Due to health concerns, Howard Nachman could not attend this year’s menorah lighting. In commemorating the miracle of Chanukah, Rabbi Ahron Fajnland lit the five oil pots on the menorah after sunset with Nachman and Olem beside him.
“Thank you for helping Arthur continue the tradition for the community,” Nachman said.