FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jewish Federation of Greater Naples hosts annual community-wide Chanukah celebration Dec. 11

 Menorah lighting, music, food and fun in celebration of eight-day Festival of Lights

NAPLES, Fla. (Nov. 20, 2023) – The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples invites the public to its free, community-wide celebration of Chanukah on Monday, Dec. 11 at 5 p.m. at Mercato on the Lawn, 9110 Strada Place in Naples.

The annual celebration of the eight-day Festival of Lights will include a lighting of the menorah candle holder, music by the Naples Klezmer Revival Band, balloon creations, crafts and songs and Israeli food, donuts and chocolate Chanukah gelt.

“This family-friendly celebration is an opportunity for unity and community at a time when both are sorely needed,” said Jeffrey Feld, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. “We welcome the chance to gather in fellowship with our many friends, supporters and the general public.”

The Chanukah menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day holiday, which this year commences at sundown on Thursday, Dec. 7. Each branch holds a light (candle or oil lamp) that symbolizes each of the eight nights of the holiday, along with a ninth Shamash (“helper”) candle to light the others.

On each night, one more light is sparked than the previous night, culminating with all nine branches ignited at the holiday’s conclusion.

The event commemorates the miracle of Chanukah, when a band of Jewish freedom fighters ousted the powerful Syrian Greeks from the Holy Land more than 2,000 years ago. It is celebrated as a victory of religious freedom against an oppressive regime. Upon entering the newly liberated Holy Temple in Jerusalem, the Jewish armies found a small jar of pure olive oil to kindle the lamp that always burned there. The oil, which was enough for just one day, burned for eight days.

Sponsorship at the event is available, and organizers request that attendees register in advance for planning purposes. For more information and to register, visit jewishnaples.org.

About Jewish Federation of Greater Naples

The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples is the thread that runs through the fabric of the Jewish Community, its organizations and services, connecting the Jewish community. The Federation supports programs for Jewish people and the entire community in need in the greater Naples area, Israel and throughout the world, providing food for the hungry and counseling for the troubled, spearheading rescue and relief efforts for isolated Jews in distressed regions, and funding innovative Jewish educational and unity initiatives. The Federation creates a sense of community for thousands of Jewish residents in Greater Naples and its surrounding areas by creating and supporting programs to further Jewish learning, identity, pride and culture. Federation meets the challenge of providing for the needs of our Jewish brethren, wherever they may be, from young children and families to seniors. For information, visit jewishnaples.org, call 239-263-4205 or email info@jewishnaples.org.