Forty years ago, on a quiet winter night, a small crowd gathered in the heart of Columbia for something Howard County had never seen before. It was simple, humble, just a few people braving the cold, watching as the first public menorah was lit. But in that moment, something far greater than wax and flame was born. A spark was kindled.

That first Menorah, standing proudly against the December sky, its light reflected in the waters of lake Kittamaqundi, was not merely a symbol of Chanukah. It was an act of spiritual courage. A statement that Jewish pride belongs not hidden, but celebrated openly. The flame flickered in the winter wind, but its message burned steady: Light belongs in Howard County. Judaism belongs in Howard County.

No one could have predicted what that spark would become.

From that first lighting, something began to shift. The glow of one Menorah reflected in the eyes of the community, spreading warmth, hope, and identity. That single flame ignited a movement. One that would grow far beyond the expectations of those present that night.

Today, forty years later, Howard County is home to multiple Chabad centers, a thriving network of Jewish life and learning, each one an extension of that original spark. What began as a lone public Menorah has grown into more than fifteen public Menorahs across the county, illuminating parks, plazas, neighborhoods, and town centers.

And the revolution didn’t stop at numbers.

It reshaped the rhythm of Jewish life in Columbia and greater Howard County.

Chabad of Howard County now hosts the largest and most vibrant Chanukah celebrations in the region, community gatherings that unite thousands, events that fill the streets with joy, music, dancing, and the timeless message that light will always triumph over darkness. From ice menorahs to grand concerts, from family festivals to menorah car parades, the spark has evolved into a brilliant blaze of Jewish pride and unity.

But at its core, Chanukah teaches us something profound:

Every revolution begins with a single flame.

The Menorah lit forty years ago was more than an event, it was an awakening. A declaration that Jewish heritage is alive, present, and growing. It was the first note in a song that would echo across generations.

As we celebrate this milestone year, we honor the pioneers who stood at that first lighting, the thousands who have joined since, and the countless souls whose lives have been brightened by its glow.

Forty years later, the spark has become a revolution.

And the revolution has only just begun.

This Chanukah, we don’t just light the menorah.

We celebrate the flame that lit up Howard County, and continues to illuminate our future.