PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Hanukkah tradition that usually requires neighbors to gather in person is now bringing them together from the safety of their homes.
The 15-foot menorah at 25th Street and Fairmount Avenue will still have its nightly lightings this year, but folks are being encouraged to take part in the eight-night celebration via Zoom.
“Everyone will be in their homes watching. It will be able to have that feel of — we're lighting the menorah together, we're bringing our light together at the same moments,” said Rabbi Hirshi Sputz.
Even though the pandemic is changing how they celebrate, he said they refuse to let it stop them.
“This year, we need more light. Everyone needs more light and warmth in their home,” Sputz added. “We're not going to allow this to stop our joy and connection to each other and to celebrate as a community."
In addition to a digital dreidel game, they're also dropping off free Hanukkah kits people can use as part of their at-home celebration.
“A menorah with candles and other Hanukkah-related material so everyone can be a part of it, not only a bystander,” Sputz said.
The first night's candle lighting will be Thursday evening at around 5 p.m.
In Old City, where a menorah towers on 5th and Market streets, folks can also watch that lighting online.
On Saturday evening, a socially distanced Hanukkah-decorated car parade that will go through the city, with special stops along the way.
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