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The first Chabad of Fairfield menorah lighting will be remembered for the masked neo-Nazis who crashed it.
Toting swastika-adorned flags, three members of the White Wolves, a local white supremacist group, shouted obscenities from the sidewalk at 25 people gathered to celebrate Hanukkah last year on the Sherman Green.

Chabad of Fairfield members did their best to ignore the anti-Semitic spectacle. But this year, for the second annual event, many resolved to make a statement

The symbolism of Sunday's menorah lighting was not lost on Rabbi Shlame Landa. Chabad of Fairfield's second annual ceremony at the Sherman Green gazebo was much more peaceful and joyous than last year's, when a trio of white supremacists arrived carrying Nazi flags. Landa said this year's ceremony served as a potent example of the true meaning of Hanukkah.

"The menorah tells us that light will always prevail over darkness, that good will always prevail over evil," Landa said.

Though the temperatures with the wind chill hovered around 25 degrees, dozens of Fairfielders braved the elements to join each other in celebrating a Hanukkah tradition.

Hosted by Chabad of Fairfield, the Town Menorah Lighting was held late Sunday afternoon on Sherman Green, centered around the gazebo.

The Jewish holiday of Sukkot is known as the "Time of Joy."

During the seven-day festival, the faithful take their meals (and sometimes even sleep) in a sukkah, a hut made of temporary construction, covered with a roof of branches. It's seen as a time to celebrate one's relationship with God, and is often honored with music and other festivities. To recognize this holiday, which began Wednesday, Rabbi Shlame Landa, director of Chabad of Fairfield, decided to do something a little different.

Twenty-five people, including Fairfield First Selectman Kenneth Flatto, gathered on the Sherman Green for the menorah lighting conducted by Rabbi Shlame Landa, director of Chabad of Fairfield, when the trio started screaming anti-Semetic rants.

"When passing motorists saw what was happening, they pulled their cars over and joined our menorah lighting. They stood by us," says Landa, who's received an avalanche of supportive e-mails. Never once, he says, did he or any of those who attended the menorah-lighting think about leaving without lighting the Hanukkah candles

Pouring rain failed to dampen the spirts of a small group of families huddled on the Sherman Green gazebo to light a menorah on the third night of Hanukkah Sunday.

Neither did three masked men, who carrying Nazi flags and shouting obscenities, tried to disrupt the ceremony until they fled when police arrived.

"I'm glad I was there," said Fairfield First Selectman Kenneth Flatto.

So was Rabbi Shlame Landa who staged the ceremony for Chabad of Fairfield.

Using a drill bit deftly inserted into a freshly sawed goat's horn, Rabbi Shlame Landa works to create an opening that won't pierce through the side.

"This is the most important part. If the drill goes through the side. That's it, the shofar is done," said Landa, cupping the horn in a gloved hand.