An annual Chabad menorah lighting took place on the afternoon of Dec. 8 at the Spring Street steps of Los Angeles City Hall.
The festive event brought together elected officials and Chabad leaders. Together they lit two candles for the first two nights of Chanukah, which began on Dec. 6, on the Katowitz menorah, a historical object rescued from a Polish synagogue otherwise destroyed during Kristallnacht.
Those in attendance included L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and West Coast Chabad Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin — the two interrupted a moment of dancing to embrace — L.A. City Council members Paul Krekorian, Paul Koretz, David Ryu and Mitch O'Farrell, Consul General of France in Los Angeles Christophe Lemoine and Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles David Siegel, L.A. City Controller Mike Feuer, L.A. City Controller Ron Galperin and others.
Chanukah is “not just a time we celebrate miracles, we celebrate hope,” Koretz said, appearing between the menorah and an enlarged frame photograph of the Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson.
Dancing followed the candle lighting, with attendees joining hands and dancing in a circle, as a keyboardist played Jewish music. Additional music was courtesy of a Chabad children's choir, which performed several Chanukah songs, including “The Dreidel Song” and Maoz Tzur, under the direction of Chabad Rabbi Mendel Duchman.
“Chabad wishes you a happy Chanukah,” read a giant banner set up at the event.
Approximately 65 people attended the annual gathering bringing together Chabad rabbis and city leaders. Cunin said it was the 33rd Chabad menorah lighting at City Hall in an interview with the Journal.
