Governors found ways to join Covid-safe Hanukkah events, celebrating freedom of religion
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson kindles the shamash helper candle of the giant menorah in Little Rock, placed by Lubavitch of Arkansas, as Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Yosef Kramer looks on. (Credit: Randall Lee)
Despite the difficulties that the coronavirus pandemic has created, the nation’s elected officials found ways to safely continue the Hanukkah tradition of joining public menorah-lightings, many of which took place at state capitols, statehouses and governors’ residences across the United States.
Inspired by the Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory—who launched the Hanukkah awareness campaign in 1973 that brought the holiday to the mainstream, Chabad-Lubavitch centers have placed menorahs at public landmarks across America, celebrating the freedom of religion protected by the Constitution and affirmed by the Supreme Court rulings that have confirmed the permissibility of the public menorahs.
Most states saw a menorah lit at their house of government, in many cases joined by the state’s governor, in addition to the lighting of the National Menorah in Washington, D.C.
Here is a sampling of photos from many of those events.
Arizona
A menorah stands at the Arizona State Capitol, placed by Chabad of Arizona.
Arkansas
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson stands in front of the giant menorah in Little Rock, placed by Lubavitch of Arkansas. (Credit: Randall Lee)Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and First Lady Susan Hutchinson at the lighting ceremony of the giant menorah in Little Rock, placed by Lubavitch of Arkansas. (Credit: Randall Lee)
California
Kindling the menorah at the California State Capitol in Sacramento.A car-menorah parade organized by Chabad of Sacramento passes the California State Capitol in Sacramento.Rabbi Mendy Cohen speaks at the lighting.
Connecticut
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont joins a virtual Chanukah menorah-lighting with Chabad-Lubavitch of Connecticut.Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Yosef Wolvovsky of Chabad in Glastonbury, Conn. speaks during a virtual menorah-lighting ceremony with Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont organized by Chabad-Lubavitch of Connecticut.Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont speaks during a virtual menorah-lighting ceremony organized by Chabad-Lubavitch of Connecticut.
Florida
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis looks on as Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Schneur Zalman Oirechman, who co-directs Chabad Lubavitch of the Panhandle-Tallahassee, speaks during a menorah-lighting ceremony at the Governor’s Residence in Tallahassee.The menorah is kindled at the Governor’s Residence in Tallahassee.The menorah stands at the Governor’s Residence in Tallahassee.
Idaho
Idaho Gov. Brad Little, Boise Mayor McLean, Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, Democratic Minority Leader Representative Ilana Rubel, community leader Dan Berger, Idaho Supreme Court Justice Greg Moeller, Idaho Department of Administration director Keith Reynolds and Boise Chief of Police Ryan Lee joined Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Mendel and Esther Lifshitz for the lighting of the menorah at the Idaho State Capitol.Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Mendel and Esther Lifshitz were joined by officials for the lighting of the menorah at the Idaho State Capitol.
Illinois
Rabbi Chaim Telsner and children light the fifth light of the menorah at the Governor’s Mansion in the state capital of Springfield.
Indiana
Young Jewish professionals gathered for the lighting of the menorah at the historic Monument Circle in Indianapolis, steps away from the Indiana Statehouse. A second lighting took place in the Indiana capital at the Statehouse itself.Young Jewish professionals gathered for the lighting of the menorah at the historic Monument Circle in Indianapolis, steps away from the Indiana Statehouse. A second lighting took place in the Indiana capital at the Statehouse itself.
Kansas
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly looks on as Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel, who co-directs Chabad at KU with his wife, Nechama Dina, speaks after the lighting of the menorah in the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka. (Credit: Guy Dvoretz)
Kentucky
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear looks on as Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Chaim Litvin of Chabad of Kentucky lights the menorah at the State Capitol in Frankfort, Kentucky.
Louisiana
A menorah stands at the Louisiana State Capitol, placed by Chabad serving LSU & Greater Baton Rouge. (Credit: Chabad serving LSU & Greater Baton Rouge)Eight health-care heroes and frontline workers are honored to hold torches and help light the menorah at the Louisiana State Capitol, placed by Chabad serving LSU & Greater Baton Rouge. (Credit: Chabad serving LSU & Greater Baton Rouge)
Minnesota
A menorah stands in front of the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, placed by Upper Midwest Merkos–Chabad-Lubavitch of Minnesota.
Missouri
In advance of Hanukkah and in lieu of the annual menorah-lighting at the Governor’s Mansion, a group of Chabad representatives from across the state came to the Governor’s Office for a brief visit on Dec. 5. During the quick meet-and-greet, Gov. Mike Parson proclaimed “the days of December 10-18 as the days of ‘Show-Me Chanukah’ in Missouri,” as has become an annual tradition. From left: Rabbi Avraham Lapine of Columbia, Rabbi Yosef Landa of St. Louis County, Gov. Parson, First Lady Teresa Parson, Rabbi Yossi Abenson of the Central West End and Rabbi Chaim Landa of St. Charles County. (Credit: Julie Smith/Chabad of Greater St. Louis)Missouri state proclamation.
Nebraska
Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts joined Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Mendel Katzman, regional director of Chabad-Lubavitch of Nebraska, to light the menorah at the Nebraska Governor’s Residence. Ricketts lit the shamash helper candle and Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen lit the menorah.Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts joined Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Mendel Katzman, regional director of Chabad-Lubavitch of Nebraska, to light the menorah at the Nebraska Governor’s Residence. Ricketts lit the shamash helper candle and Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen lit the menorah.Nebraska Sec of State Bob Evnen Lights Menorah
New Hampshire
A menorah stands at the New Hampshire State House, placed by Chabad-Lubavitch of New Hampshire.
New York
New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul joins the lighting of the world’s largest menorah in New York City. The 36-foot world’s largest menorah is a project of the Lubavitch Youth Organization and is part of Chabad-Lubavitch’s worldwide Hanukkah campaign
North Carolina
Jewish community leaders stand in front of a menorah lit on Downtown Raleigh’s historic Fayetteville Street down the block from the North Carolina State Capitol. From left: Bill King, CEO of Downtown Raleigh Alliance; Rabbi Zalmy Dubinsky, who co-directs Chabad Young Professionals Raleigh with his wife, Mushky; Dr. Josh Dloomy, a Jewish health-care hero who was honored with the menorah-lighting; and City Councilman David Knight.
North Dakota
Rabbi Yona Grossman, who co-directs Chabad-Lubavitch of North Dakota with his wife, Esti, lights the menorah in the North Dakota State Capitol.
Ohio
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine shared Hanukkah greetings with the state’s Jewish community, and a menorah was kindled at the Ohio State Capitol.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine shared Hanukkah greetings with the state’s Jewish community, and a menorah was kindled at the Ohio State Capitol.
Pennsylvania
A menorah stands at the Pennsylvania State Capitol, placed by Chabad Lubavitch of Harrisburg, directed by Rabbi Shmuel and Sara Pewzner.
Rhode Island
A car-menorah parade culminated at the Rhode Island State House, where a menorah was lit by representatives of Chabad-Lubavitch of Rhode Island.Cars menorahs convene at the Rhode Island Capitol for the menorah-lighting organized by Chabad-Lubavitch of Rhode Island
Tennessee
Rabbi Levi Klein, regional director of Chabad of Tennessee (left) and Rabbi Yitzchak Tiechtel of Chabad of Nashville (right) look on as Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee kindles the shammash helper candle during the menorah lighting ceremony at the Tennessee Governor’s Mansion.From left: Rabbi Yitzchak Tiechtel of Chabad of Nashville, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Levi, Chana, Esther and Chana Tiechtel at the menorah lighting ceremony at the Tennessee Governor’s Mansion.From left: Rabbi Levi Klein, regional director of Chabad of Tennessee,Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Rabbi Yitzchak Tiechtel of Chabad of Nashville pose with a handmade menorah gifted to Gov. Lee during the menorah lighting ceremony at the Tennessee Governor’s Mansion.
Texas
Texas Governor Greg Abbott (center) poses with (from left) Rabbi Yosef Levertov, Rochel Levertov, Mussy Levertov, and Rabbi Mendy Levertov of Chabad of Austin as well as other participants during the menorah-lighting ceremony at the Texas State Capitol.
Utah
From right: Gov. Gary R. Herbert, Rabbi Benny Zippel, Executive director of Chabad Lubavitch of Utah and Rabbi Avremi Zippel, Program Director of Chabad Lubavitch of Utah, kindle the shammash used to light the menorah at “A Utah Chanukah Celebration” on the grounds of the Utah State Capitol. (Credit: Melissa Majchzrak for Chabad of Utah)The Allyson Whit Gamble Memorial Menorah is shown kindled on the grounds of the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City. (Credit: Melissa Majchzrak for Chabad of Utah)A portion of the guests who filled more than 120 cars attending “A Utah Chanukah Celebration” in Salt Lake City. (Credit: Melissa Majchzrak for Chabad of Utah)
Wyoming
Rabbi Zalman Mendelsohn of Chabad-Lubavitch of Wyoming looks on as Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon speaks during a menorah-lighting ceremony at the Wyoming State CapitolRabbi Zalman Mendelsohn of Chabad-Lubavitch of Wyoming shares a word with Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon during a menorah-lighting ceremony at the Wyoming State Capitol.
