Amid ‘dark times,’ dozens gather for annual Sacramento menorah lighting at California Capitol

About 50 people gathered Thursday evening with Rabbi Moshe Cohen for the 29th annual menorah lighting at the state Capitol in downtown Sacramento, but he said this year was different.

He said California governors Pete Wilson, Gray Davis, Arnold Schwartzenneger and Jerry Brown have attended the ceremony on the Capitol’s west steps to celebrate the start of the eight-day Jewish Hanukkah festival.

“This year, we were supposed to have Governor Newsom. Unfortunately, it had to be canceled and even the (Christmas) tree lighting was canceled,” said Cohen of Chabad of Downtown Sacramento. “We are so fortunate and we are so thankful that we are still able to have this year the public menorah lighting at the west steps of the state capitol.”

Cohen is referring to Newsom’s decision to cancel the public in-person Christmas tree lighting ceremony earlier this week in favor of a remotely-held, pre-recorded event. Newsom switched to a virtual event to avoid a planned protest calling for an end to Israel’s war on Hamas that has killed thousands of Palestinian civilians.

“As we continue to see protests across the country impacting the safety of events of all scales — and for the safety and security of all participating members and guests including children and families — the ceremony this year will be virtual,” a Newsom spokesperson said in an email to The Sacramento Bee.

In response to the tree lighting cancellation, Yassar Dahbour of the Sacramento Regional Coalition for Palestinian Rights said in a statement: “Governor Newsom decided to cancel the tree lighting ceremony rather than face the public that is enraged by his shameful silence on the genocide in Gaza.”

On Thursday evening, the Governor’s Office shared a video of Newsom and California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom speaking about the importance of the Hanukkah celebration, especially this year.

“Hanukkah is a celebration of the miracles that hope can usher in. It’s a time for connection to each other — something needed now more than ever,” Newsom said in the video. “The lighting of the menorah is a reminder to us all that we must continue to bring light into the darkness.”

“Even as events of the past few months and even years have created fear, anger and division, we must acknowledge the humanity in each other and lead with empathy, always,” Siebel Newsom said in the video.

There were no protesters or any type of disturbances at Thursday’s menorah lighting at the state Capitol. Cohen said many others throughout the world also were gathering in public spaces to kindle the menorah.

“And the menorah, which is a sign that tells us no matter how vast the challenges may seem, just a little bit of light can push away a lot of darkness,” Cohen said. “Every one of us has a little light that we can shine into the world. And when we come together, we combine all of those little lights and we become one big torch.”

The Associated Press reported that United Nations officials say there are no safe places in Gaza nearly a week after Israel widened its offensive into the southern half of the territory, and Palestinians remained largely cut off from supplies of food and water as Israeli forces engaged in fierce urban battles with Hamas militants. An estimated 138 hostages remained in Gaza, mostly soldiers and civilian men, after 105 were freed during a cease-fire late last month.

At the Sacramento menorah lighting, Rabbi Mendy Cohen of Chabad of Greater Sacramento offered 138 little menorahs for each hostage unable to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah.

“May their light shine bright, and we will not forget them,” he said.

He also said lighting Hanukkah candles is something especially important right now as it can provide the spiritual strength to help them through “these dark times.”

“So even though times are dark, we don’t say we’re gonna huddle in our bedrooms and light the menorah where no one sees,” Rabbi Mendy Cohen said. “We’re afraid of what will happen and what people will say. These acts of lighting the menorah at the state Capitol; not being afraid, this is what’s gonna help us bring light to a dark time in history.”