Jewish and Israeli Holidays
“Thanks for the stereotyping,” wrote the executive director of a Lawrence, N.Y. Orthodox synagogue, of the newspaper’s game Strands.
“This blatant antisemitism is unacceptable—those responsible should be charged with intimidation and harassment,” StopAntisemitism stated.
Five Chabad rabbis erected the first public menorah in Philadelphia in 1974. Now, 50 years later, roughly 15,000 giant menorahs are lit annually in public squares from Washington, D.C., to Melbourne, Australia.
“You’re giving people the opportunity to just focus on their finals, and it’s really helpful,” a Yeshiva University student said.
“The Maccabees were also exhausted, but they didn’t give up,” Rabbi Levi Shemtov, who organizes the event, told JNS.
The display at Schneider Children’s Medical Center also features a gigantic yellow ribbon for the hostages in Gaza.
“This morning, I ascended to the site of our Holy Temple to pray for the safety of our soldiers, the swift return of all the hostages, and absolute victory, with God’s help.”
“Today we are lighting the first candle of Chanukah to mark the victory of the Maccabees then, and also the victory of the Maccabees of today.”
JNS has reported that the global body has often neglected Jewish holidays while acknowledging those of other faiths.
The holiday is commemorated by the lighting of the menorah, symbolizing the rededication of the Second Temple.
As Jewish families worldwide prepare to welcome the holiday, here are some basics about the eight-day “Festival of Lights.”
Black-and-white images provide a glimpse into the holiday traditions of Jewish communities in the early 20th century.
