Fargo Jewish Community Celebrates Second Day of Hanukkah

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — It’s the second day of Hanukkah, a festival that is observed for eight nights and days with the lighting of candles on nine branches called the menorah. And for the fiftieth year in the row public menorahs are lit across 15,000 communities in the world, including Fargo.

“Hanukkah celebrates the victory of a small band of faithful Jews against the mighty Greek army that had outlawed the practice of the Jewish traditions in Israel. To commemorate the symbolism that we don’t battle darkness with a broom or with sticks but rather rekindle a light and the darkness runs away by itself,” said Chabad Rabbi Yonah Grossman.

The first public menorah appeared at the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia in 1974 by a Rabbi who launched a Hanukkah campaign in 1973. His mission was to build awareness and promote the observance of Hanukkah.

“Light has the ability to cast away the darkest darkness so when we want to light a light for our surroundings we want to start it home, but then we want to go outside and make sure everyone is affected by the light and warmth we have to offer,” said Grossman.

The festival comes at a time as across the world there has been a rise in antisemitism within the Jewish community. But Rabbi Grossman wants the community to rise up from hate and bring kindness.

“The turnout for tonight is really heart warming and it’s really just special to see the support of the Fargo community that came here to be here with the Jewish community lighting the menorah tonight. Bring more kindness to the world, let’s change the narrative from acts of random kindness to acts of routine kindness. Plan them, do them on purpose,” said Grossman.

Many came out to enjoy the festivities with their family and loved ones.