In the wake of a Chanukah tragedy, rabbi urges light and kindness
December 15, 2025 | By Lisa Scagliotti Rusty Parker Memorial Park in downtown Waterbury is lit up on Sunday night with displays marking Chanukah and Christmas. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti
Rabbi Baruch Simon speaks to a small gathering in the park at twilight on Sunday. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti
About two dozen people gathered in Rusty Parker Memorial Park at nightfall on Sunday for a ceremony marking the first night of Chanukah led by Rabbi Baruch Simon of Chabad of Waterbury-Stowe.
This was the fourth year that the 12-foot-tall menorah was lit in a public ceremony. As twilight quickly turned to dark, Simon began his remarks reflecting on the weekend news of a mass shooting at a Chanukah celebration in Australia.
“I had the privilege to be a student rabbi in Sydney for two years,” he said, adding that he still has friends in the Jewish community there, where he completed his religious training.
“The menorah symbolizes adding light to the darkness. How do we fight darkness? We do not fight it – not with guns,” he told the gathering. “We fight darkness by being proud and by adding one good deed of kindness – even a thought could change the world.” As Chanukah continues for seven more nights, “it gets better and better, adding another light every single night.”
Members of the congregation will light an additional light on the menorah each night of Chanukah this week.
Following the lighting ceremony, attendees gathered inside the Waterbury Train Station in the Black Cap cafe to mingle and warm up with spiced cider and hot cocoa as children made holiday crafts and played games. A dinner buffet awaited the attendees, organized by Sara Simon, including lasagna and eggplant parmesan alongside traditional foods such as latkes and doughnuts.
More information, including a holiday message from Rabbi Simon and a guide to celebrating Chanukah, is online at chabadofstowe.com.
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