The Bill Graham menorah has been a fixture for decades. It s affectionately called the mamma menorah because 45 years later there s 15,000 public menorahs all across the world, said Moshe Langer.
A symbol of light and hope, for those celebrating at home this year, Langer says Ambassadors of light are available to deliver a menorah to anyone s doorstep. This pandemic has really caused us to dig deeper and further within ourselves to find that light that positivity within us and within the world and uncover that and shine it bright, said Moshe Langer.
While this Chanukah will be unique, many are finding ways to incorporate tradition, Frena Bakery in San Francisco was buzzing as people picked up orders for sufganiyot, traditional Chanukah jelly doughnuts.
It wouldn’t have been a first-night Hanukkah celebration in this year of tumult without at least
something unexpected happening.
Sure enough, as Rabbi Yosef Langer of Chabad of San Francisco prepared to light the
shamash on the enormous menorah in Union Square, the glass bulb protecting the candle from wind fell off and smashed to the ground.
“It’s like a wedding,” Langer, a big S.F. Giants fan known as the “Rally Rabbi,” said with a chuckle after things had settled down. After a quick swapping of the wind guards, Langer was able to light the shamash the helper candle marking the start of the eight-night holiday on Thursday evening.
Decorations brighten spirits in San Francisco during difficult times
Holiday of Lights: Decorations lift spirits in San Francisco during difficult times
People say every little bit of joy helps during these difficult times. In San Francisco many took comfort in the displays of holiday decorations.
SAN FRANCISCO - The lighting of the Menorah took place at Union Square Thursday evening for the start of Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival.
In fact, annual holiday events took place throughout San Francisco, but they are traditions that usually attract a large crowd. This year, the celebrations feel different and are low-key.
Organizers with Chabad San Francisco held the ceremony marking its 45th anniversary. Organizers urged people to stay home and watch the livestream of the event.
Celebrations will be different this year as stay-at-home orders restrict activities in the Bay Area.
Happy Chanukah! Please join us, virtually, starting tonight at 5pm - and for the entire eight nights of Chanukah- as we illuminate the Bill Graham Menorah in Union Square at this Facebook Live Event Link:https://t.co/vrDXcirQMi@Chabadpic.twitter.com/VOTAjdJu7h Union Square, SF (@UnionSquareSF) December 10, 2020
Instead of the community gathering to light the menorah in Union Square each night and enjoying traditional oil-fried foods like latkes, Bay Area chabads are asking people to stay home. The city actually told us that they put a lot of restrictions and guidelines on us and we re respecting that and we re asking everybody to stay home. and light their menorah s in their home, said Rabbi Moshe Langer, Yousef s son.