Hanukkah menorah lighting lit up Kitchener City Hall

To mark the final night of Hanukkah, a menorah lighting ceremony took place downtown Kitchener in front of city hall.

A large crowd gathered to watch as all 8 candles were lit around 6 p.m. on Thursday.

The event was organized by The Rohr Chabad Centre for Jewish life in Waterloo.

Rabbi Moshe Goldman officiated the ceremony Thursday evening.

Goldman is the director of The Rohr Chabad Centre for Jewish life and serves as the Jewish chaplain for Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Waterloo and Grand River Hospital.

“This is the final night of Hanukkah and it’s a night when menorahs branches are entirely illuminated and it’s a symbol of everyone maximizing their potential,” said Goldman.

He added it’s the first time they’ve ever hosted a menorah lighting at Kitchener City Hall.

“We felt this was another way to maximize our light instead of just doing what we’ve done every year, try to grow and try to increase the message of Hanukkah and the sharing of it with the community.”

Rabbi Goldman said he hopes to see it grow bigger next year.

“It’s a symbol of light for everyone, a reminder not to lose hope in the darkness.”

Rabbi Goldman was joined during the menorah lighting by MP Mike Morrice, Regional Chair Karen Redman, Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, and the Waterloo Regional chief of police Mark Crowell. All of whom spoke out against acts of violence and antisemitism.