Chanukah celebrations scheduled throughout Salt Lake City
Nov 28, 2021, 4:31 PM | Updated: Jan 9, 2024, 11:17 am
FILE -- Rabbi Benny Zippel of Chabad Lubavitch of Utah conducts the ceremony as the lighting of a menorah in the state Capitol rotunda marks the first night of Hanukkah in Salt Lake City Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY — Chanukah celebrations scheduled throughout Salt Lake City will take place November 28-December 5, 2021. The Holiday of Chanukah begins with a celebration at the Utah State Capitol.
Chanukah celebrations scheduled include the Governor of Utah
A press release from Rabbi Avremi Zippel, Program Director at Chabad Lubavitch of Utah said Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox will kindle the Menorah. Also, United States Ambassador John Price will participate. This will take place at the Capitol beginning at 5:00 p.m., on Sunday. Rabbi Zippel adds this event is open to the public and no RSVP is necessary. Also, traditional Chanukah refreshments, such as latkes and jelly donuts will be served.
Other celebrations scheduled for the Holiday of Chanukah
Additionally, On Monday, November 29, 2021, Chabad will be hosting the fifth Jewish Heritage Night with the Utah Jazz. This will happen at Vivint Arena. The event is an annual highlight for the Jewish community. The Menorah will be kindled at half-time, and shown on every screen in the building. This will be shared with the over 18,000 in attendance.
Young Jewish Professionals Utah will be hosting an event Wednesday December 1., at Dave and Buster’s Downtown. Jewish men and women, ages 21-40 are invited.
Sunday, December 5, 2021, closing out the Holiday of Chanukah, Chabad will be organizing Salt Lake City’s Car Menorah Parade. The parade route will travel via the main thoroughfares of Salt Lake City, including all the way down West Temple to Abravanel Hall Plaza.
Throughout the Holiday of Chanukah, there will be a Menorah kindled nightly at Abravanel Hall Plaza.
Why Chanukah is celebrated
Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, recalls the victory more than 2,100 years ago of a militarily weak but spiritually strong Jewish people. Upon recapturing the Temple from the Syrian Greeks, the Jewish people found only one jar of undefiled oil. This was enough to burn only one day, but it lasted miraculously for eight days until new, pure olive oil was produced. In commemoration of this event, the Jewish people celebrate Chanukah for eight days by lighting an eight-branched candelabra known as a Menorah.
