
As the glow of Christmas lights begins to dim along the Las Vegas strip, a different kind of illumination takes its place. The Jewish community of Las Vegas has sparked the spirit of Hanukkah, with ceremonies and gatherings taking hold of hearts to celebrate the eight-day Festival of Lights. News3LV reports that the menorah lighting, a vital aspect of the Hanukkah celebration, has garnered community unity and joyous participation.
A menorah lighting ceremony led by Rabbi Shea Harlig of Chabad of Southern Nevada punctuated the evening on Wednesday. "The message of Hanukkah is a message of light, a message of hope, a message of growth, and then the message of pushing out the darkness," Rabbi Harlig told News3LV. Reflecting on the public acceptance and history of such events, he adds, “My organization, Chabad, started lighting public menorahs 50 years ago. The first one was in Philadelphia, and now it's done in 15,000 places around the world," noting the global spread of this tradition.
In another part of the city, the Jewish community congregated at Or Bamidbar Chabad Sephardic Synagogue to partake in their own Hanukkah rites. The synagogue was alight, with the ceremonial menorah and the exuberance of children painting chocolate on a larger-than-life menorah. The attendees were joined by a local Metropolitan Police Department officer, ensuring a safe space for festivities, as outlined in an article by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The sentiment of the night was captured by Ester Yosef, a synagogue goer, who aptly said, “It’s just nice that we’re able to get together and not have to worry about anything, and we’re safe."
Contrasting the spirited activities among the Jewish community, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada kept up with their Christmas tradition of providing meals to those less fortunate. An impressive turnout of 50 volunteers served over 700 meals, a gesture of goodwill and hope during the holiday season. Leslie Carmine, director of media and community relations for the charity, emphasized the inclusivity of the event, stating to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, "We’re really excited that we get to share a little bit of Christmas cheer with individuals who may not have anywhere else to go or even have family or friends in town."
Hanukkah celebrations continue with the planned lighting of a 20-foot menorah at the Fremont Street Experience today, as reported by News3LV. This event will unite city officials, including Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley, and members of the Jewish and broader community in a continued effort to spread the light of togetherness and inter-community warmth. The ceremony highlights the enduring message of Hanukkah, encouraging individuals to engage in good deeds that light up the darker corners of our collective experience.