Iraq Gets a Special Piece of Equipment: A Seven-Foot Menorah

From the Jewish Exponent.

December 18, 2008 – Aaron Passman

At this time of year, Rabbi Jon Cutler would ordinarily be preparing to lead Chanukah services at Congregation Tiferes B’nai Israel in Warrington. But this is no ordinary year.

Cutler, a military chaplain and commander with the Navy Reserves, is currently stationed in Iraq at Al-Asad Naval Air Base, in western Iraq’s Anbar Province. Since January, he has served as a military chaplain for the base, a position he also held in 1991 during the Persian Gulf war.

The base houses Iraq’s only functioning synagogue and has an unusual piece of equipment: a seven-foot electric menorah, built by civilian contractors. The base will host a public lighting on the first night of Chanukah, and Cutler said that he expects as many as 70 people to show up.

“We invited the entire base to come and participate in the lighting of the Chanukah menorah, which is outside. It’s a great opportunity for people who have never seen Chanukah to come and experience this event,” said Cutler by phone from Iraq.

Additionally, he said that a Chanukah party will take place on the last night of the holiday for all the Jewish personnel on the base. Also, during the week of Chanukah, the rabbi will travel to a number of different bases in the area, distributing Chanukah supplies like menorahs, candles, dreidels and gelt.

More here.