And all lights were on the MetroWest Jewish Day School and Rabbi Donald M. Splansky of Temple Bath Am in Framingham.

Splansky was honored to spotlight his contribution to the school and the community at the second annual MetroWest Jewish Day School "Winter Lights, Celebration of the Arts."

"Rabbi Splansky was one of the first I spoke to about starting a Jewish Day School," said Renee Finn, founding chairwoman of the school, which opened in 2003 with six students. The school now has 32 students.

"He was a wonderful adviser and friend who envisioned a community school for anyone who wanted their children to have a strong identification with their heritage," she said. "We are grateful for all he has done for the Jewish community and the MetroWest community at large."

More than 240 people gathered in the lobby of Temple Shir Tikva in Wayland. The theme Winter Lights and the approaching celebration of Hanukkah set the warm tone. The guests mingled, enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and congratulated Splansky.

"It’s a wonderful event and well-deserved," said Max Michelson, who has known Splansky for more than 20 years. "He’s a wonderful rabbi and teacher."

Splansky, Temple Beth Am’s spiritual leader for more than 23 years, plans to retire in 2007.

"We knew that he was coming close to tenure of the organization and we wanted to be the first to honor him for his contribution to the community," said Carolyn Keller, head of MetroWest Jewish Day School in Framingham.

Many factors, including attending a summer camp in Oconomowoc, Wis., influenced Splansky as he grew up in Chicago.

"It (the camp) gave me a sense of Jewish community and group dynamics that I have often employed as a rabbi to help further a sense of Jewish community," said Splansky. "The camp utilized the wonderful opportunities of educating children in a full-time environment away from their families and in a situation where their daily program is scheduled for them -- that includes forcing them to be part of a community even at the cost of forcing them to take off their earphones."

For Splansky, it is his cause.

"Every rabbi and Jewish professional wants what I call meaningful Jewish survival," he said. "That’s what is especially wonderful about the Jewish Day School movement, in particular, the MetroWest Jewish Day School, because they are creating knowledgeable Jewish people. So the day school truly produces Jews who will be proud of being Jewish and interested in conveying a Jewish heritage to the next generation."

Splansky and his wife of 42 years Greta Lee have three children, all of whom attended the gala event with their grandchildren.

"They are a terrific source of support and love and I’ve very proud of them and grateful for them on a daily basis," said Splansky.

They, in turn, are proud of him.

"It’s cool they are honoring him," said 10-year-old granddaughter Emily Farbman of Needham, perfectly dressed for the occasion, with a black velvet top and a white skirt accented with stars.

The program of vocal and choral music touched on the tradition of Jewish learning across generations with cantors Scott Sokol, who serves at Temple Beth Shalom of Framingham, as well as other cantors.

"The cantorial music is a great art form and is not just for the Jewish," said Splansky. "It is one of the wonderful contribution of the Jewish culture to the world."

Splansky knows the power of this educational system. His three children, Karen, Yael and Joshua attended Hebrew school.

"He himself is quite scholarly," said Keller. "I will miss him when he is no longer the rabbi."

Classes at the school are held at the Juniper Hill School. "It’s just the beginning of our journey," said Keller.

All the profits of the gala will support school scholarships.