To mark the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah menorah lightings around the world will mark its commencement. Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights and is an eight day holiday beginning on Dec. 8 at sundown. Over Hanukkah the menorah is lit for eight days.
New York City will celebrate Hanukkah beginnings with a lighting of the world's largest 32 foot menorah on the edge of the city's iconic Central Park. "Dignitaries, rabbis and a big crowd are expected Saturday for the 8:30 p.m. ceremony, held on a plaza on 5th Avenue near the park's southeast corner," reports ABC News.
The Associated Press also reports that there is a "Hanukkah on Ice" event on Dec. 10 at the ice skating rink in Central Park.
In Miami, the Miami Heat will host a Jewish heritage Night on Dec. 12 at American Arena. There will be a public menorah lighting at halftime and a party after the game, held on court.
From 4 p.m. on Dec. 9 the National Menorah Lighting is scheduled near the White House in Washington DC. The AP reports there will also be performances by The Three Cantors which is a U.S. Navy Band.
In Washington, the National Menorah Lighting is scheduled for 4 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Ellipse near the White House, with performances by the U.S. Navy Band and musical group The Three Cantors.
Every year in Los Angeles the city has a menorah lighting ceremony in City Hall where Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa lit the menorah on the first day of Hanukkah. In Los Angeles there is also a 15-foot, 1000 pound menorah that will be lit at Universal CityWalk at 7:40 p.m. on Sunday reported Daily News Los Angeles.
Across the pond in London, a menorah lighting is scheduled for Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. in Trafalgar Square while Paris will have a live concert with videos to menorah lightings in New York and Jerusalem on Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. reports The AP.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
