Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — With "Happy Chanukah" flags waving in windows, lit menorahs atop cars and smiles all around, Chabad Lubavitch of Utah held its first-ever car menorah parade Sunday evening to celebrate the fourth night of Hanukkah and spread light across the city.
"(It is) the ultimate statement of pride — pride in our tradition, pride in our heritage and pride in the fact that we believe in God," Rabbi Benny Zippel said.
As the 27-car parade, complete with a Salt Lake City Fire Department truck and a police escort, drove from the synagogue in Sugar House downtown to light the menorah sitting outside Abravanel Hall, many waved and honked in support.
Music blasted from the lead truck, which hauled the Chabad's large wooden menorah in its bed alongside Rabbi Avremi Zippel, son of Rabbi Benny Zippel, and organizer of the parade.
The younger Rabbi Zippel was met with big grins from onlookers as he danced along with the festive music blasting from the speakers and wished them a Happy Hanukkah in below-freezing weather from the back of a truck bed.
"People are like, 'Wow, OK, not what I expected to see on the streets in Salt Lake City on a Sunday night,'" he said, laughing. "But people loved it. There were waves and smiles and grins and honks and all that. I think people are really, really excited."
While it was cold drive standing in a truck bed, Rabbi Zippel said he was happy to do it.
"That energy and that love and that warmth and that vibrancy and remembering that it's a miraculous time — it's a time of hope and optimism and faith and joy; that's what we hope to spread," he said.
The Salt Lake community came together for the celebration, with firefighters, police, representatives from the governor's office and the state department of public safety all in attendance.
"We appreciate Chabad and all that they do," said Michael Mower, who serves as Gov. Gary Herbert's deputy chief of staff. "The more we can do to highlight diversity and show support for each other here in Utah, the better."
Herbert lit the nearly 20-foot menorah that sits on the grounds of the state capitol building Thursday, the first night of Hanukkah. Raizel, who has been with the Chabad for about 15 years and participated in Sunday's parade, said she's attended car menorah parades in New York before and was excited for Chabad Lubavitch of Utah to finally be able to host one.
"Hanukkah is a very important holiday for us," she said. "It's very special to light the menorah. It's important for the Jewish presence in Salt Lake City."
The Jewish holiday celebrates the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem more than 2,000 years ago after a small group overcame an oppressive rule that banned the practice of Judaism. After the successful revolt, there was only enough oil to light the menorah for a single day; however, the faithful believe a miracle occurred and the oil lit the menorah for eight days.
"In modern-day times, (Hanukkah) sends the message of God's ongoing presence on our lives, especially during this pandemic," said Rabbi Benny Zippel. "You have to realize that we have God with us and that God protects us, and allows us to carry out whatever it is that we need to do. So the whole idea of the Hanukkah is to publicize the miracle."
Rabbi Avremi Zippel said events like Sunday's drive brings their culture out to the city and to help members of the Jewish community feel a sense of pride in their heritage.
"It's always a moment when their hearts swell with pride and feel so proud to be Jewish and so glad that they have that heritage, in particular," he said. "I think as a rabbi that's what we hope to do; we hope they view that pride and that joy and cultivate that growth. And that's really all you can ask for."
Sunday's event was the synagogue's first-ever car menorah parade, but it's something they've wanted to do for a long time, according to Rabbi Avremi Zippel. As COVID-19 forced a change of plans in celebrations, the timing was perfect to provide a way for the Jewish community in Utah to spread joy for the festival of light.
"For it being the first time ever, it's just incredible that so many people showed up," said Jane Rosenberger, who rode in the parade.
Laura Kessler, of Salt Lake's Chavurah B'Yachad congregation, watched from the street as the parade rode by. "I think it's especially important this year and nice that we can all come together outside to be together for the holiday," she said.
The celebration ended as Rabbi Avremi Zippel lit the menorah outside Abravanel Hall as those in attendance commemorated the fourth night of Hanukkah.
"Undoubtedly, Salt Lake City is glowing with the spirit of Hanukkah," he told the crowd gathered outside the concert hall.
The congregation hopes to continue the newfound tradition in coming years as well.
"For us, it's what it's all about. It's about, you know, having the opportunity to make one more day brighter and one more day a little bit happier for some people and to bring that joy to people who didn't even know that they were going to see a parade on the streets in Salt Lake City tonight," he said.
