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Fresno Public Hanukkah Lighting Will Move Indoors Sunday
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 9 months ago on
December 26, 2024

Rabbi Levy Zirkind (left) lights the menorah at the 2023 public lighting at Riverpark Shopping Center in Fresno. This year, the event is at Woodward Park library because of potential rain. (Special to GV Wire/Michelle Taub)

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The Fresno Jewish community will publicly light the Hanukkah menorah Sunday afternoon at the Woodward Park library (944 E. Perrin Ave., Fresno). All are invited.

Chabad Fresno hosts the 35th annual event to commemorate the “Festival of Lights,” on the Jewish calendar. Sunday marks the fifth (of eight) nights of Hanukkah.

Chanie Zirkind of Chabad Fresno said the event is about religious freedom.

“The message of Hanukkah is universal, and it’s all about education, education, education. The more we educate and the more we learn to bring things within the community, you hope that … understanding will become more the norm,” Zirkind said.

The library event starts at 3:30 p.m. in the community room. Threats of rain on Sunday moved the event indoors, originally scheduled at the Riverpark Shopping Center.

The actual lighting will happen around 4:15 p.m., Zirkind said.

In addition to the menorah lighting, food fried in oil — such as doughnuts and latkes (fried potato pancakes) — will be on hand, along with live music.

The community dances the “horah” at the 2023 public menorah lighting in Fresno at Riverpark Shopping Center. (Special to GV Wire/Michelle Taub)

Extra Security Since Oct. 7

Chabad Fresno has employed extra security since the Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attacks in Israel.

“Hopefully, we will not have any need for the security. Hopefully, it’s just like having insurance when you don’t need medical insurance, you know?” Zirkind said.

But, the intensified precautions have come at a price.

“It’s draining our budget,” Zirkind said. “Thankfully, we have not had incidents, and we don’t anticipate any. But we want to take every precaution so that people feel comfortable.”

What is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks. The Jews rededicated its Great Temple, only to find a one-day supply of oil to light the menorah. In a miracle, the oil lasted eight nights.

While not the most religiously significant holiday on the Jewish calendar, because it takes place around Christmastime, Hanukkah is the most well-known and mainstream.

Hanukkah always takes place on the 25th of Kislev on the lunar-based Jewish calendar. For the first time since 2005, the first night of Hanukkah fell on Dec. 25. The next “Hanumas” takes place in 2035.

Flyer for Fresno’s annual public menorah lighting.

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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