Festival of Lights Chanukah Celebration Scheduled For Sunday, December 13

The entire community is invited to the annual City of Coral Gables Festival of Lights Chanukah Celebration scheduled for Sunday, December 13th, the 4th night of Chanukah, from 4:30 to 5:30 PM at Ponce Circle Park, 2800 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables. While the scope of the ceremony will be limited amid Coral Gables’ ongoing coronavirus emergency, the lights will shine forth as brightly as ever.

The Chanukah celebration will feature a Firetruck Parade and Gelt Drop. Our local Coral Gables firefighters will affix a large Menorah to their truck, and a dreidel mascot will shower down chocolate gelt (coins) for all participants.

The free public event is for both children and adults and will offer live musical entertainment, a Samoan Fire knife Dance Show and a Chanukah gift bag for each child. Complimentary individually packaged hot potato latkes and traditional Chanukah doughnuts will be served. There will be a free raffle for all participants.

The highlight of the event will be the lighting of the candles on the large 12 foot Menorah that will illuminate Ponce Circle Park during the holiday season. Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli, City Commissioners & community leaders will be the honored guests.

This year’s menorah lighting is done with the recognition of the crucial need for a message of hope during what for many is a very difficult time. Chabad will also distribute menorahs, candles, and Chanukah-at-home kits to those celebrating at home.

“The menorah serves as a symbol of light and hope for us today amidst the darkness of the pandemic, as it did for generations before us,” said Rabbi Avraham Stolik, Director at Chabad. “The flames of the menorah shine out into the night, reminding us that even when confronted with much darkness, a tiny light can dispel it all. Another act of goodness and kindness, another act of light, can make all the difference.”

As such, we will recognize the efforts of our frontline healthcare workers and will be honoring them with the kindling of the menorah.

To ensure everyone is safe, the menorah lighting ceremony will be abbreviated as well as socially distanced and participants will be required to wear masks.

If you are in need of a menorah for Chanukah, you can reserve your kit at ChabadGables.com/MenorahKit and receive a free menorah delivered to your home. Reserve by December 8 to receive in time for Chanukah.

For more information please call 305-490-7572, email [email protected] or visit www.ChabadGables.com.

In conjunction with the Holiday of Chanukah, Chabad will be hosting two other events open to the community.

On the first night of Chanukah, Thursday, December 10, 6-7 PM, Chabad will be hosting a virtual Chanukah celebration. Join the community for an interactive menorah lighting experience from the comfort of your home. There will be raffles, prizes and holiday fun. Sign up at ChabadGables.com/VirtualMenorah for the link to join in.

On Monday, December 14, 6 PM there will be a menorah lighting at Publix supermarket on 2551 S. Le Jeune Rd. Prepackaged donuts, dreidels and gifts will be distributed.

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