Lexington hosts 2nd Annual Hanukkah Celebration at Triangle Park Sunday night

The celebration is made possible through a Shine A Light initiative grant, whose goal is to raise awareness of the rising antisemitism impacting Jewish communities

UPDATE: 12/18/22 7:45 P.M.

An annual Hanukkah celebration kicked off in downtown Lexington Sunday night, which began eight nights of a menorah lighting. Triangle Park was full of light and people for the first night of the celebration.

“It’s very important that we share Hanukkuh with our community,” said Mindy Haas, the executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass.

The JFB hosted the celebration, which brought people of all faiths and backgrounds to the city.

State, city and community leaders took part including Fayette County School superintendent Dr. Demetrus Liggins and Kentucky governor Andy Beshear.

“Hanukkah is about celebrating light over darkness and what an incredible statement for everything that we’ve been thru in Kentucky. You think the last several years, we’ve had pandemics and tornadoes and ice storms. Yet we are still here standing strong,” said Gov. Beshear.

The celebration is made possible through the Jewish Federations of North America’s Shine A Light initiative grant. The grant’s goal is to raise awareness of rising antisemitism impacting Jewish communities across the nation.

“It is most important about educating people who Jewish people are and where we come from and the importance of our celebrations and our holidays, so they understand it is like Christmas. It’s a festival, it’s a cultural activity,” said Haas.

“Every single branch of the menorah, every single light of the menorah connects to the same core, connects to the same stem. All of us as we produce this light are part of the same community. So the issues is when one of those lights isn’t lit, the menorah isn’t fully lit. And particularly when it comes to anti-semitism, make sure every chance we have to dispel darkness we don’t miss a night,” said Rabbi Shlomo Litvin, the director of the Chabad of the Bluegrass.

The governor reiterating he won’t allow any hate in the state.

“Hates always wrong. But hate directed towards people based simply on their religion is especially wrong. These our fellow Kentuckians. They are amazing people they have strong faith that believes good and being a good person,” said Beshear.

A community using the chance to shine a light on darkness as they spread the message of Hanukkah.

For a list of the Hanukkah celebrations in Lexington, click here.

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LEXINGTON, Ky (WTVQ)- The second annual Hanukkah celebration will begin an eight-day celebration Sunday night in downtown Lexington.

The Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass hosts the celebration, bringing people of all faiths and backgrounds to the city.

The celebration is made possible through a Shine A Light initiative grant, whose goal is to raise awareness of the rising antisemitism impacting Jewish communities.

Lexington’s event will kick off with a public lighting of a menorah at Triangle Park.

Governor Andy Beshear, Fayette County Schools superintendent Demetrus Liggins and the Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass leaders are expected to take part.

Festivities begin at 3:30 p.m. with skating, dreidel games, and treats.

There will be 8 candle lightings each night this week through December 25th. The public is invited to attend. To find a schedule, click here.