Chabad of Utah holds a Utah Chanukah celebration in the Capitol Rotunda where they held a menorah lighting ceremony, with Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, former U.S. Ambassador John M. Price and Rabbi Benny Zippel, retired, in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Always a popular event and joyous occasion for the Utah community, Sunday’s Utah Chanukah celebration carried poignant moments.
For the 10th year in a row, Chabad of Utah held its celebration in the Capitol rotunda.
Hundreds of many faiths filled the space, hoping to honor the joy of the holiday but mindful of the tragedies in Australia and other parts of the world.
“We mourn, we grieve, we are sad,” said Rabbi Benny Zippel, executive director of Chabad Lubavitch of Utah, according to KSL-TV. “But at the same time, we also have to celebrate the victory of Chanukah.”
Gov. Spencer Cox also spoke as faithful observed kindling the Shamash on the Menorah. The group also paid tribute to two Utah police officers — Officer Eric Estrada and Sgt. Lee Sorenson, who died this year in the line of duty.
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Deseret News photojournalist Scott G Winterton captured the moments of remembrance and celebration.
Chabad of Utah holds a Utah Chanukah celebration in the Capitol Rotunda where they held a menorah lighting ceremony, in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Rabbi Benny Zippel walk to their seats as Chabad of Utah holds a Utah Chanukah celebration in the Capitol Rotunda where they held a menorah lighting ceremony, in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
A group of children sing in a choir as Chabad of Utah holds a Utah Chanukah celebration in the Capitol Rotunda where they held a menorah lighting ceremony, with Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, former U.S. Ambassador John M. Price and Rabbi Benny Zippel, retired, in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Pianist Deondra Brown plays a musical number as Chabad of Utah holds a Utah Chanukah celebration in the Capitol Rotunda where they held a menorah lighting ceremony in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speaks as Chabad of Utah holds a Utah Chanukah celebration in the Capitol Rotunda in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Rabbi Avremi Zippel, speaks as Chabad of Utah holds a Utah Chanukah celebration in the Capitol Rotunda where they held a menorah lighting ceremony, with Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, former U.S. Ambassador John M. Price and Rabbi Benny Zippel, in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Chabad of Utah holds a Utah Chanukah celebration in the Capitol Rotunda where they held a menorah lighting ceremony, in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Rabbi Avremi Zippel lights a candle as Chabad of Utah holds a Utah Chanukah celebration in the Capitol Rotunda, where they held a menorah lighting ceremony, with Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, former U.S. Ambassador John M. Price and Rabbi Benny Zippel, in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox talks with Elza Moyal after Chabad of Utah held a Utah Chanukah celebration in the Capitol Rotunda where they had a menorah lighting ceremony, in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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