Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and a group of alderman joined Rabbi Meir Chai Benhiyoun and other Chabad shluchim at the Menorah lighting at Daley Plaza.
Photos: Shaina Benhiyoun
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and a group of city alderman, joined the Chabad Menorah lighting at Daley Plaza in Chicago on the fourth night of Chanuka.
Mayor Johnson was honored with lighting the central candle of the menorah, the one used to light the other candles each night.
“The soul of Chicago is rooted in the many diverse traditions and cultures that our city is home to,” Johnson told the crowd. “The festival of lights reminds us that light triumphs over darkness, and unity will always prevail over division.”
Johnson ended by wishing the assembled a happy Chanuka in Hebrew. After the menorah was lit, latkes and doughnuts were offered and people danced.
Chicago’s menorah-lighting ceremony, featuring the 31-foot tall menorah in Daley Plaza, started in 1987 when Rabbi Meir Chai Benhiyoun, rabbi of the Center for Jewish Life, came to Chicago with his wife to establish a Jewish center in the city.
During the ceremony, Rabbi Benhiyoun called for the release of the hostages while addressing the crowd, and noted that Judith Ranaan – a Chicago-area woman who was taken hostage during the initial attack but has since been released – was supposed to be on hand to light a candle Monday but was unable to attend due to illness.
Kol hakavod Rabbi Benhiyoun!
Some of the background history. Rabbi Daniel a’h Moscowitz first put up a large 18ft Menorah at Daley Plaza in the early 80’s. The Menorah was challenged in court by the AJC and others, with Chabad’s ultimate victory.