Congregation Adath Israel of Newtown celebrated the last night of Hanukkah with a candle lighting on Sunday, December 21.

Several dozen attendees gathered at the synagogue Sunday evening, excited to celebrate the Festival of Lights with family and friends.

People quickly filled the building’s gathering room and settled into tables topped with dreidels, milk chocolate coins, and dark blue gift boxes wrapped in silver ribbons. All the while, cellist Mardi Smith and one of her students played music for everyone to enjoy.

It did not take long for everyone to gather around the menorah and watch the lighting of the candles. Ian Sachs had the honor of lighting each candle this year, with congregant Meyer Glaser ready to help if needed.

Then Rabbi Barukh Schectman led the crowd in the prayer portion of the service. Everyone got a copy of a Menorah Lighting Song Book, which featured multiple Hanukkah songs and blessings in Hebrew and English.

Attendees followed Schectman’s lead as they sang the lighting of the candles blessing. Schectman said the second song, “Hanerot Halalu,” means “these lights.”

“It’s a statement,” Schectman said. “The purpose of these candles, these lights, the miracle that happened so long ago and over and over again in Jewish history, is how darkness comes and the threat of destruction of our people is there, but each time we overcome it.”

The crowd went on to sing songs such as “Maoz Tzur,” “Mi Yimalel,” and “I Have a Little Dreidel.”

Afterwards, it was time for people to enjoy a wide variety of food. Attendees filled their plates with donut holes, crudités, and, of course, traditional holiday latkes (potato pancakes). Some guests mused amongst themselves as to whether latkes taste better with apple sauce or sour cream as they poured drinks such as hot cocoa, seltzer water, and apple juice.

One table was lined with different arts and crafts for children, where they could color in menorahs using crayons or make their own Hanukkah beeswax candles.

Kids wore big smiles on their faces as they put stickers on their menorahs or dreidels, only for them to start making another menorah or dreidel out of felt.

Others enjoyed the play area nearby with large wooden blocks and dozens of toy animals.

Schectman said he was happy to see so many people come and enjoy the holiday together. The lighting of the candles, he said, is one of the most important concepts of Hanukkah and carries a lot of meaning to the Jewish people.

In each case where they have faced persecution almost to the point of being destroyed, Schectman said they find a way to bounce back and flourish again.

“This is the main theme of Hanukkah, that even though there are many periods of great darkness in Jewish history … the light will come back again,” Schectman said.

Schectman said that even though Hanukkah is traditionally listed as a minor holiday, for many people, “it’s probably one of the most important ones.”

“More than anything else, it’s a fun holiday,” Schectman said. “It has some really deep significance, but it’s a time to celebrate with friends and family.”

That energy carried on even as people left. Attendees could grab dark blue goodie bags with Hanukkah stickers, milk chocolate coins, a dreidel, and instructions on how to play dreidel.

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Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.