Chabad Mercer Island’s Rabbi Nissan Kornfeld stepped forward and spoke passionately while bringing a warm message of togetherness to menorah-lighting attendees on a chilly evening.

During his speech on Dec. 19 at Mercerdale Park, Kornfeld encouraged people to live more flame-like lives while discovering true unity during the upcoming Year of Hakhel or “Gathering,” a once-in-seven-years Jewish tradition.

After addressing the crowd, Kornfeld lit a six-foot public Lego Hanukkah menorah as locals celebrated night two of the eight-day Festival of Lights with singing, an LED show by Garrett Dragonbourne, sufganiyot and hot drinks. As the festive atmosphere blanketed the corner of Southeast 32nd Street and 78th Avenue Southeast, one attendee exclaimed to Kornfeld that it was the best Hanukkah party ever on the Island.

Kornfeld said the unusual Lego menorah, as well as last year’s Chabad-lit ice menorah, both share those crucial flames while brightening the same Mercerdale Park space.

Deputy Mayor David Rosenbaum attended the event with his family after taking part in a Herzl-Ner Tamid Hanukkah gathering on the Island earlier in the day.

“It’s an incredible opportunity for people to come together and celebrate. I think as a community — locally and around the U.S. — we’ve seen antisemitism has obviously been on a lot of people’s minds and this is a holiday all about light — bringing light out of darkness,” said Rosenbaum, who added that the Island possesses a strong Jewish community. The Stroum Jewish Community Center recently held three sold-out Maccabeats concerts and other Hanukkah events.

Rosenbaum, whose father was a rabbi at Herzl for 18 years, said it’s nice for people to celebrate Hanukkah in a very public way.

Kornfeld echoed Rosenbaum’s sentiment about holding the menorah lighting in public, adding: “Our response to hatred of any kind must never be to cower or hide our faith. Unity is what makes a strong community.”

Resident Nika Klinghoffer praised Kornfeld and his wife Mushka — who both founded the local Chabad in 2015 — for organizing the beautiful and elaborate event.

“I think people need every opportunity they can to get together and feel like they’re part of a community,” Klinghoffer said.

As people gathered around the area where the menorah resides, Rabbi Kornfeld said that the candles will merge harmoniously as people’s lives become illuminated.

“The fire is beautiful,” he said of the unified Jewish community.