On December 12, 2016, Governor Bruce Rauner kicked off Illinois’ annual Chanukah Celebration at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago. A Chanukah menorah will be on display at the Thompson Center from now until the New Year.
“As families celebrate this year, they will light candles to honor the miracle of Chanukah and remember when light conquered darkness, good defeated evil, and freedom prevailed,” Governor Rauner said. “Today’s Chanukah ceremony has been a tradition in the State of Illinois for many years, and we’re thankful to Chabad of Illinois for helping us keep this tradition alive.”
Governor Rauner was joined by Rabbi Avraham Kagen of Chabad of River North, Rabbi Meir Moscowitz of Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook, Consul General of Israel to the Midwest Aviv Ezra, and other state legislators for a ceremonial dreidel spin. This year, Chanukah runs from the evening of Saturday, December 24 to the evening of Sunday, January 1, 2017.
Chanukah 2016 (used interchangeably with Hanukkah) begins at sundown on Dec. 24, 2016, and ends in the evening on Jan. 1, 2017. The menorah is lighted daily in remembrance of the miracle of the lamp that burned for eight days during the rededication of Jerusalem’s temple, even though the lamp’s oil supply was too low for that to occur. Chanukah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar. The eight days of Chanukah vary every year from late November to late December.
Rabbi Mendy Goldstein has planned several events including a “Mega Chanukah Event” during the eight-day holiday, also called the Festival of Lights, 11AM-1PM on Tues., Dec. 27, 2016, hosted by Chabad of Naperville at the Fox Valley Mall.
Every season, Rabbi Goldstein joins Chabad rabbis around the globe to to bring Chanukah to as many Jewish people as possible.
In Naperville, on the fifth day of Chanukah, the menorah lighting in the Civic Plaza on the River Walk will be accompanied by indoor festivities at the Municipal Center.
The public is invited at 5 PM Thurs., Dec. 29, for the indoor Grand Menorah lighting that will be followed by music and Chanukah songs inside City Hall, 400 S. Eagle Street.
The festivities also include donuts, hot Latkes, hot beverages, gelt (Chanukah gifts of money, often in the form of gold-foil-wrapped chocolate coins), dreidels and free raffle.
All are welcome to attend free of charge.
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