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First night of Hanukkah for Jewish communities around the world

November 28, 2021

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One event on November 28, 2021 at 12:00 am

This evening marks the first night of Hanukkah for Jewish communities around the world.

Did you know? In comparison to major Jewish holidays like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Hanukkah is actually a fairly minor religious festival. In the 19th century, however, both Hanukkah and Christmas saw a rise in popularity in the United States. Today, Hanukkah is one of the best-known Jewish holidays in America.

Although Jews have been in America for hundreds of years, the first public display of a menorah didn’t occur until Hannukah 1974. On a cold evening in Philadelphia, Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, with the help of yeshivah students, lit a simple menorah in front of Independence Hall. Since that night, menorahs have become a common sight on town greens and in public squares across the country.

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Date:
November 28, 2021
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