LANSING, Mich. — Today marks the beginning of the 8-day Jewish celebration of the Festival of Lights or the holiday more popularly known as Hanukkah. To start off the holiday here in Lansing, Mayor Andy Schor and the Greater Lansing Jewish Federation hosted a completely digital menorah lighting ceremony outside of City Hall.
The ceremony was broadcast via Zoom to members of the Greater Lansing Jewish Federation who were unable to attend the ceremony in person due to the state-wide prohibition of large gatherings as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Michigan. Hanukkah is usually a time of family and community together-ness, the federation has been working to find ways to produce that same feeling while keep their members safe.
This weekend they will hold an outdoor event to celebrate Hanukkah with the community but they are asking that all guests remain in their cars and that only registered guests attend. They've cut off registration at 100 guests per CDC guidelines but fear the need for togetherness may drive more people than anticipated. In hopes of keeping their registered guests safe they are only releases details of the event such as time or location once registration is complete.
Last year, Mayor Schor said that lighting a menorah on Capitol Plaza would become an annual tradition. With so many traditions changing or being put off by the coronavirus, it was important to both the Mayor's office and the Jewish community of Lansing that this tradition find a way to live on. The menorah will stay on display outside of City Hall to celebrate each day of the religious celebration.
From all of us here at Fox47News.com we wish our readers a happy and safe Hanukkah.
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