Colorado Gov. Jared Polis will join hundreds of Boulder residents and visitors on Monday, Dec. 19, at the lighting of the Boulder Chanukah Menorah, organized by Chabad-Lubavitch's Boulder County Center for Judaism and co-sponsored by the Boulder JCC, among others. Ahead of the event, in an exclusive interview with Chabad.org and “The Boulder Jewish News,” Gov. Polis shares his thoughts about the holiday’s meaning and its impact on him as a child.
Q: What does Chanukah represent to you?
A: Chanukah is a reminder to always be proud of who you are and to stand up for what you believe. The story of Chanukah reminds us of leadership and identity—the Maccabees stood up for their Jewish faith in the face of adversity. And freedom won over tyranny. The story of Chanukah is a timely reminder to continue our own fights for freedom and to support those fighting persecution across the globe. From supporting brave Ukrainians to standing up for Iranians protesting for their rights, the story of Chanukah carries important lessons that inspire us still today.
Q: Tell us about a situation in your life, where you saw darkness transformed into light?
A: I have a motto, a commitment, to lead joyously. When things get difficult, it is important to me to stay positive and lead with joy. The story of Chanukah is a great reminder that with resilience, community and perseverance, we can achieve the unexpected.
In the uncertain early days of the COVID-pandemic, we worked day and night to make sure there were enough supplies for essential workers, enough hospital beds for Coloradans and enough information to update people with the constantly changing environment. While this was a difficult time for all, there was unquestionably light that shone through and helped us to continue leading joyously throughout. I think back to early on in the pandemic when people in Colorado and across the country would yell or bang their pots and pans every night as a way to thank our frontline health-care workers and cheer them on. It was a way for all of us to feel connected, even when we couldn’t be together physically. We worked hard to make sure hospital capacity was never overwhelmed, to make sure essential workers had the PPE they needed to save lives, and to reopen schools as safely and quickly as possible, and it was inspiring to see the way that Coloradans stood up and worked together during this time. The celebration of light is a time to reflect on the great joy of coming through a common challenge together.
Q: What is your fondest Chanukah memory?
A: Growing up, I loved lighting the menorah with my grandmother. We have a family tradition of making my great-grandmother’s latke recipe, which we still make with our kids today.
Q: What’s your favorite topping on a doughnut/sufganiya?
A: I like sharing the traditional strawberry jelly sufganiyot with my kids. They especially love the powdered sugar on top, which usually winds up on their clothes.
Q: What is your message to the Jewish community regarding Jewish pride and fighting antisemitism?
A: The story of Chanukah is an important reminder that each of us has a responsibility to speak up for what is right and be proud of who we are and where we come from. We’ve unfortunately seen antisemitism on the rise, and it is important as ever to call out this ugly hatred everywhere we see it. This is not a political issue; this is a human issue. Whether on the right or the left or anywhere in between, we must speak out against antisemitism when and where it appears. The vibrant and thriving Jewish community in Colorado is a light that shines through the darkness of antisemitism.
To register for the Boulder menorah-lighting, visit their web page here.
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