SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News)— Tonight is the third night of Hanukkah, which means those who take part will be lighting their third menorah candle. Hanukkah celebrations have changed from the pandemic conditions.
While many people were able to light their menorahs in their homes last year, there was a lack of large gatherings to light the menorah. But this time, the celebrations are back to pre-pandemic conditions, including Sunday night when Mayor Ben Walsh and Rabbi Yaakov Rapoport held a large menorah lighting in Clinton Square. Rabbi Rapoport is hosting many events to celebrate the holiday in a different way from last year.
“Most places we’re going, we’re able to have the menorah gatherings. There are not too many restrictions,” said Rabbi Rapoport.
Rabbi Rapoport has also been running events for the Chabad House at Syracuse University. He says Hanukkah is very early this year because of an 11-day discrepancy between the Jewish calendar and the solar calendar. This allows the S-U’s Jewish community to be together like no other year.
“Last year there was no school during Hanukkah. So we really weren’t able to do much, besides what we do in the community,” said Rabbi Rapoport.
There is a menorah lighting at Hendrick’s Chapel tonight at 6 p.m.
