Park Ridge residents, officials and believers celebrated a special menorah lighting with hostages taken during the Israel-Hamas war in mind chicagotribune.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from chicagotribune.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Park Ridge city officials helped light a menorah in the city’s Uptown for the eighth night of Hanukkah on Thursday. About 50 people attended the lighting, organized by Rabbi Lazer Hershkovich. He asked the attendees to close their eyes and think about the hostages taken during the Israel-Hamas war. “Friends, you need to be their light. We need to be their light,” he said. Hershkovich invited .
(Right to Left) Rabbi Lazer Hershkovich, Des Plaines Mayor Andrew Goczkowski, and Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison (15th) stand next to the Hanukkah Menorah on the fourth night of the Jewish celebration Dec. 21 in Metropolitan Square. Right to left symbolizes reading Hebrew and so that the newest candle gets lit first. (Noah Festenstein/Journal Photo)
Over the past 14 months, the pandemic has brought to nursing homes and assisted living facilities illness, death, isolation and untold suffering. These are some of the memories that suburban residents shared with the Pioneer Press and Chicago Tribune.
How suburban Jewish congregations are celebrating Hanukkah this year Northbrook-based Jewish Community Center of Chicago is selling a Hoppy Hanukkah Brew Box with eight craft beers. Courtesy of JCC Chicago Rabbi Mendel Shemtov is the co-director of Chabad Jewish Center of Elgin. Events at the Northbrook-based Jewish Community Center of Chicago will include a video presentation of famed National Geographic photographer Udi Goren walking the Israel National Trail. Courtesy of JCC Chicago
Updated 12/11/2020 9:38 AM
With the coronavirus pandemic hampering holiday traditions and religious celebrations, faith communities are getting creative to bring together a socially distanced flock.
Beginning this week, several suburban Jewish congregations will observe Hanukkah virtually amid COVID-19 restrictions, with drive-in menorah lightings and concerts, and gift baskets sent to families and seniors isolated from their communities.