Chabad Lubavitch of Utah welcomed the wider community to the 18th annual Utah Chanukah Celebration at the Utah State Capitol on Thursday.
Hanukkah is the most widely used spelling for the Jewish Festival of Lights, while Chanukah is more traditional.
A press release from Rabbi Avremi Zippel stated the Utah Chanukah Celebration is marking 10 years of being hosted in the Capitol rotunda. Harking back to its inception by then-Gov. Jon Huntsman in 2008, originating in the Governor’s Mansion, this annual Chanukah highlight has allowed the opportunity for Utahns of all backgrounds to partake in the opening of the Festival of Lights.
This year’s celebration featured Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson as the guest of honor, as she kindled the Shamash (central candle) on the Menorah. The two candles for the second night of Chanukah were kindled by former U.S. Ambassador and Holocaust survivor John M. Price, and assisted by Rabbi Benny Zippel, executive director of Chabad Lubavitch of Utah.
The event featured various musical selections performed by Israeli master violinist and internet sensation Ariella Zeitlin), who visited Salt Lake City for the first time as part of her Chanukah in America Tour 2024.
“We’re honored and excited to welcome the wider public to what has become a treasured Chanukah tradition across the state of Utah,” said Rabbi Avremi Zippel, producer of A Utah Chanukah Celebration. “With Chanukah this year falling in the week of the winter holidays, this is a tremendous opportunity for the warmth of the Menorah to bring light and love to Utahns of every walk of life.”
Photojournalist Jeffrey Allred captured the moments of the celebration.
