Among those celebrating Chanukah at “Fire on ICE” were (l to r) Rabbi Shaya Gopin, Eric Zachs (who lit the menorah), Henry Zachs and Rabbi Joseph Gopin

“Fire on ICE” was once again the theme of the sixth annual “Chanukah @ Blue Back” Chanukah community-wide celebration, hosted by Chabad of Greater Hartford on Sunday evening, Dec. 1 in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square. Hundreds of people, young and old, celebrated throughout the afternoon and evening in a heated tent. They watched a master ice carver sculpt a giant menorah from a block of ice, took photos with “Judah Maccabee,” enjoyed Chanukah melodies sung by the Hebrew Academy Children’s Choir, feasted on Chanukah delectables and indulged in a host of fun activities. In his message at the event, Rabbi Shaya Gopin noted that “Chanukah @ Blue Back” was initiated in 2008 to “light up a darkened world,” following the terrorist attack in Mumbai, India, in which a Chabad couple were among those murdered.

Shaya “Judah Maccabee” Engel poses with Geoffrey, Rivka Sue and Miriam Newman