'We joined this world together': Jewish community feels love at menorah lighting

AVON LAKE — A community menorah lighting took on even more importance for the members of Temple B'nai Abraham after 15 people were killed in an attack on a Hanukkah celebration on Australia's Bondi Beach on Sunday. This was even more true for Cantor Laurel Barr, whose brother is a rabbi in Sydney who lives next to Bondi Beach, where he has spent the past several days praying with mourners. The Lights on the Lake menorah lighting in Veterans Memorial Park on Thursday had been planned for months, but Barr said that after the shooting it became even more meaningful that the non-Jewish community came out to support the temple in its holiday celebration. "It has shaken us all over the world," Barr said. "It is sad that we have to have these terrible things happen to shine a light on what has to be done. We have a saying in Judaism, 'Justice, justice you shall pursue.' We always want to do the right thing, the just thing, and we want to be a good example of goodness and kindness. That was really an awakening for all of us." Members of the temple were joined by non-Jewish community members and leaders in the menorah lighting and singing of songs, and Barr said she could feel the community's love for her people. "Having the community with us made us feel so much less, let's not even say afraid, but like we are one family of mankind," she said. "We joined this world together." Non-Jewish community members like Elyria Mayor Kevin Brubaker and Avon Lake Councilmen K.C. Zuber and Rob Shamir were invited to light candles on the over 6-foot-tall menorah that had been custom built by Temple B'nai Abraham member Stan Beekman. As a cantor is both a spiritual and musical leader in a Jewish temple, Barr explained the history of Hanukkah and led the attendees in a traditional song for the holiday. Inside the park's community center, the Elyria High School Madrigals choir sang a selection of Hanukkah songs they had learned for the event, including one sung in Hebrew that Barr said had moved her nearly to tears. Temple President Jason Frieman also spoke to the attendees, telling them that he and the rest of the temple hoped to make the community lighting an annual event. He said that the National Center to Encourage Judaism provided the funding to hold the inaugural event, and he thanked the Avon Lake police and the Cleveland Jewish Federation for providing security for the evening. "Most of all, I want to thank all of you listening to me right now," Frieman told the attendees. "For coming out in the wind, coming out in the rain, coming out in the dark. It means a ton to us to be able to celebrate the joy and the miracle of Hanukkah with all of our community. … Your presence really adds the light to this holiday and to the joy of our gathering." Contact Owen MacMillan at (440) 329-7123 or omacmillan@chroniclet.com.