BETHLEHEM, Pa. — With Hanukkah falling on Christmas Day this year for the first time in almost two decades, maybe it was written in the stars for the 2024 Lighting of Unity and Hanukkah celebration to be something quite special in Bethlehem.
On Thursday, about 70 people crowded the upper area of Payrow Plaza near City Hall for a festive menorah lighting — complemented by some fellowship, a bit of holiday spirit, a huge firetruck and even gold foil-covered chocolate coins raining from the sky.
It’s a tranquil, breezy evening in Center City Bethlehem for the 2024 Lighting of Unity and Hanukkah celebration. Story to come! @LVNewsdotcom pic.twitter.com/TeVxt286Nj
— LVN Will Oliver (@LVN_WillOliver) December 27, 2024
A delighted Rabbi Michael Singer, of Congregation Brith Sholom in Bethlehem, beckoned a crowd of people over to refreshments nearby. The spread included latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled donuts).
Allentown-based Chabad of Lehigh Valley sponsored the festivities for Hanukkah’s second night, featuring Rabbi Yaacov Halperin.
“I dedicate tonight’s lighting for the release of all the hostages, for victory for the [Israeli Defense Forces] and for the Jewish people in Israel to overcome all enemies, and for the entire world to be able to overcome antisemitism,” Halperin said.
“And that we as a society, we as humanity, to be able to live as a family in this time, more than any other time of the year, time of holidays, time of celebration — we’ll be able to celebrate as a family together.”
Mayor J. William Reynolds referred to Bethlehem as "a city of many faiths," adding the city celebrates "every one of them."
“You want to make the world, itself, shine."Zusha Sandman, reflecting on Hanukkah and the significance of the menorah’s eight candles lit each evening from Dec. 25 through Jan. 2
Zusha Sandman reflected on Hanukkah and the significance of the menorah’s eight candles lit each evening from Dec. 25 through Jan. 2.
“You want to make the world, itself, shine," Sandman said.
She traveled about an hour from the Poconos for the lighting, visiting Halperin and others for the occasion.
“Even to help one person shine a little bit more is extremely important, but we have to know that our actions and our deeds are not just random,” he said. “Every person is obligated to have actions of goodness and kindness to make the world brighter, a more shiny, beautiful place so that we’ll all enjoy it more.”
