This year Chanukah begins on December 18th, but Illini Chabad and Champaign Center Partnership are doing a menorah lighting ceremony in Downtown Champaign at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 8th.
Visit the menorah in the plaza of 1 Main Plaza in Champaign to participate. Additional details in the press release below.
PRE-CHANUKAH CELEBRATION IN DOWNTOWN CHAMPAIGN
CHAMPAIGN, IL – Local community organizations are holding a pre-Chanukah menorah lighting at 1 Main Plaza in Downtown Champaign later this week.
Although this year’s Jewish holiday begins at sundown Sunday, Dec. 18, Champaign’s annual lighting of the menorah will celebrate Chanukah early at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 8, while students are still on campus.“Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, represents how just a little light can dispel a lot of darkness,” said Rabbi Dovid Tiechtel of the Chabad Center for Jewish Life. “In challenging times, it’s more important to bring a message of light. We are blessed to partner with the Champaign Center Partnership and the City of Champaign to bring this message of hope to all in our great city.”
The Chabad Center for Jewish Life at the University of Illinois and Champaign-Urbana and the Champaign Center Partnership invite the entire community to celebrate a public, pre-Chanukah program and menorah lighting ceremony. Following the program there will be Chanukah treats for all to enjoy.
Please Join Illini Chabad, Champaign Center Partnership, and community members in a public display of unity at this menorah lighting ceremony at 1 Main Plaza.
Pre-Chanukah Menorah Lighting
1 Main Plaza
Champaign
Th December 8th, 3:30 p.m.
Free
Top image from Illini Chabad Facebook page.