The fifth annual Chanukah takeover of Winterlights, a partnership between Newfields and the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis, will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29 at Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan Road, Indianapolis. Thousands of people have already purchased tickets for this event.
During this special night, you can see the windows of the Lilly House lit up with Menorahs while listening to an exclusive Chanukah-coordinated blue-and-white light show of Ma’Oz Tzur, a traditional Chanukah song.
Participants will be able to celebrate more Chanukah festivities than ever before and enjoy the wonder of winterlights with more than 1.5 million lights glittering on 100-year-old trees in the historic garden, along with Chanukah music. Potato latkes will also be available for purchase.
Chanukah commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after a successful revolt by a band of Jewish fighters called the Maccabees against the Syrian-Greek empire that had attempted to destroy the Jewish faith. As part of the rededication, the victorious Jews needed to light the Temple’s menorah (seven-branch candelabrum), but they only had enough oil to last one day, and it would take eight days to prepare more. Miraculously, the one-day supply of oil lasted for eight days, which is why Chanukah lasts for eight days.
A chanukiah (nine-branch menorah — one candle for each day of Chanukah plus another candle, called the shamash, to light them) is lit each night, starting with one candle on the first night and adding a candle each day until the whole chanukiah is lit on the last night of Chanukah. The chanukiah is traditionally placed in a window facing the street, sharing the light and celebration with the world.
Visit jewishindianapolis.org/chanukah for holiday resources and upcoming programs in the Indianapolis Jewish community.
About the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis
The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis is the central philanthropic, planning and community relations organization of the Jewish community. The Federation and its agencies, in cooperation with the synagogues, function to promote the general welfare of the Jewish community and to ensure the creative survival and continuity of the Jewish people. The Federation community mission is grounded in a pluralistic understanding of the historical, moral and cultural values of Judaism.
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