Hundreds of people gathered in Rittenhouse Square to celebrate Hanukkah on its second night, along with the start of Kwanzaa. Families, community leaders, and residents came together to observe both holidays, reflecting Philadelphia's cultural diversity.
In Rittenhouse Square, the community celebrated Hanukkah with music, prayers, and sufganiyot, while Rabbi Steven Gotlib of Mekor Habracha/Center City Synagogue spoke about resilience, saying, "No matter what odds are against us, no matter what it is that we are facing, no matter how many challenges, no matter how much anti-Semitism, we are going to shine as brightly as possible in response." Meanwhile, the first day of Kwanzaa was celebrated at the African American Museum in Philadelphia, where the focus was on unity and cultural pride. As part of the celebration, organizers urged everyone "to celebrate each other and to celebrate the ancestors," according to WHYY and FOX 29.
In Philadelphia, a special event celebrated both Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, honoring Jewish and African American traditions. Organized by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, the gathering aimed to promote visibility and unity. Michael Balaban, president & CEO of the Federation, noted, "Being visible is extremely important. Far too often, the threats of antisemitism cause people to really go into shelter and hiding." The menorah was lit at Rittenhouse Square, and the kinara was lit at the African American Museum, as reported by 6abc Action News.
