Chanukah! Let There Be Light

Chabad Lubavitch of Central New York encourages unity in response to anti-Semitic acts, and invites the public to celebrate It’s Public Chanukah Menorah Lighting

December 16, 2022 (Syracuse, NY) – Starting this Sunday, Chabad Lubavitch of Central New York will kick off the 41^st year of its annual public Chanukah Menorah Lighting celebration throughout Syracuse.

In response to the increase of Anti-Semitic acts, both domestic and worldwide, Chabad is encouraging a greater participation in this year’s Public Chanukah Menorah Lightings as an expression of unity.

“Our response to hatred of any kind must never be to cower or hide our faith,” said Rabbi Yaakov Rapoport, who directs Chabad Lubavitch of Central New York. “The story of Hanukkah is the tremendous power of light to overcome darkness. We can have no better response to negativity we encounter, than to gather together in even greater numbers and celebrate the light of the menorah in public.”

This year’s public menorah lighting carries added significance as Jewish communities worldwide celebrate the Year of Hakhel or “Gathering,” a once-in-seven-years Jewish tradition.

“Unity is what makes a strong community,” said Rabbi Rapoport. “Hakhel is a time for us to tune in to this, because together we can accomplish great things. There is no greater display of the literal light that is in our power to bring into the world, than to gather together and light the menorah. This is what the world needs.”

Menorah lighting schedule for the Flagship Menorah in Clinton Square, Syracuse:

• 1^st Night of Chanukah, Sunday December 18, 4:30 PM – Mayor Ben Walsh will join Rabbi Yaakov Rapoport at the Menorah lighting at going up with him for the lighting of the first candle.

There will be a Chanukah Gelt Drop for all attending (raining chocolate coins)

5:00 PM – Grand Car Menorah Parade from Downtown Syracuse’s Clinton Square to Limestone Plaza Fayetteville. Mayor Mark Olson will join Rabbi Rapoport for the lighting at 5:30 PM

• 2^nd Night of Chanukah, Monday, December 19, 4:30 PM – County Executive Ryan McMahon, will join Rabbi

Rapoport for the lighting of the second candle at the Menorah in Clinton Sq.

• 3^rd Night of Chanukah, Tuesday, December 20, 4:30 PM – Menorah lighting
• 4^th Night of Chanukah, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 4:30 PM – Menorah lighting
• 5^th Night of Chanukah, Thursday, December 22, 4:30 PM – Menorah lighting
• 6^th Night of Chanukah, Friday, December 23, 3:42 PM – Menorah will be lit earlier, due to the

Sanctity of the Shabbat

• 7^th Night of Chanukah, Saturday, December 24, 7:00 PM – Menorah lighting & Gelt Drop
• 8^th Night of Chanukah, Sunday, December 25, 4:30 PM – Last night of Chanukah and Menorah lighting

Other Menorah lightings throughout the Greater Syracuse Area include:

• 18^th, 5:30 PM – Limestone Plaza, Fayetteville
• 21^st, 6 PM – Destiny USA
• 22^nd, 5:45 PM – Syracuse Hancock International Airport
• Dewitt at the intersection of Erie Blvd. & E. Genesee St, Fayetteville, and the Galleries Downtown.