BC woman shining light on Jewish traditions

By Cassie Tomlin

Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008 | midnight

Lights shine red and green in December, but not all of them.

Hanukkah, which starts at sundown Dec. 21, is the Festival of Lights, and though it's not a major Jewish holiday and there's no synagogue in Boulder City, the spirit exists.

High on a hill toward Lake Mead, a giant menorah shines for miles.

It's Sharon Lazar's way of celebrating in December.

"They call me the token Jewish person in the community," she said, donning a homemade "Happy Chanukah" sweater.

Hanukkah is an eight-day celebration commemorating the rededication of a temple in Jerusalem after the Macabees were defeated. An oil lamp was supposed to burn for just one night, but lasted eight. The menorah symbolizes that history, Lazar said.

While Christian children get Santa and presents under the tree, Jewish children get latkes — potato pancakes — dreidel tops, chocolate coins and a gift every night.

Lazar said most Boulder City Jews worship in Henderson — Congregation Ner Tamid on Valle Verde Drive and Midbar Kodesh Temple on Paseo Verde Parkway are right over the hill in Henderson.

During the high Jewish holidays such as Passover, Lazar sometimes hosts her own celebrations locally. This year, she had 22 people over for a Seder, a symbolic dinner.

"I consider myself an ambassador. I talk to people, invite them to my home so they can see how I worship and what I do," she said.

Regardless of faith or denomination, holiday time or not, Lazar thinks the world is getting more respectful of religious differences.

"All religions teach the same things," she said. "If we only followed it through, we'd have a wonderful world."

Cassie Tomlin can be reached at 948-2073 or [email protected].