Savannah's Jewish communities gather for public lighting of Hanukkah menorah

This year's Hanukkah at Forsyth event took a pivot to Savannah's Civic Center due to forecasted rainstorms, but dark skies and ground-shaking thunder did little to keep hundreds from filling the center's lobby Sunday afternoon to participate with food, crafts and live music in celebration of the Jewish Festival of Lights.

The event ended with Savannah's annual public menorah lighting in Johnny Mercer Theatre, where Mayor Van Johnson and City Manager Jay Melder lit the first candle.

"To see how people nevertheless came out despite the challenges is really what Hanukkah is all about," said Rabbi Zalman Refson of Chabad of Savannah, who helped organize the event. "How we're together, we're much stronger together, and how light really has the power to dispel a lot of darkness."

Johnson and Melder lit the shamash candle, the one at the center of the Menorah that is used to light the other candles. "Shamash " in Hebrew means "helper," and Refson called it the candle of public service. Sunday was the fourth day of Hanukkah this year, which ends at nightfall on Dec. 15.

The other four candles lit Sunday were flamed by father and son, Lowell and Jack Kronowitz. Lowell Kronowitz owns Levy Jewelers, which was one of the main sponsors of the event.

"It's a privilege," said Jack Kronowitz. "It's special. It's a special place and a special community."

Savannah's Jewish community dates back to the city's beginnings

Savannah's first Jewish settlers arrived in 1733, just after Gen. James Oglethorpe established the Georgia colony. Congregation Mickve Israel is the third oldest Jewish congregation in the United States.

This year's Hanukkah observance was freighted with the weight of the Israel-Hamas war, which began after Hamas militants stormed from the blockaded Gaza Strip in Israel on Oct. 7, a major Jewish holiday, and killed 1,200 civilians and kidnapped 240 hostages, according to reporting by the Associated Press. The AP now reports that the Israeli military response has claimed the lives of more than 17,700 Palestinians.

A display at the menorah lighting ceremony included pictures of more than 80 people kidnapped in the raid, some of whom have since been returned, said event emcee Yael Elfassy. There was also an opportunity for people in attendance to light smaller candles for those who have been kidnapped.

"This year it seems that Hanukkah is taking on a more significant meaning," Elfassy said.

The scene inside the Civic Center lobby Sunday bustled. The hall was so packed that it was nearly shoulder-to-shoulder with little walking room at its busiest. There were tables sponsored by a host of Savannah's Jewish organizations.

Congregation Mickve Israel served soups and drinks, and the Savannah Jewish Educational Alliance offered a table of Hanukkah-themed crafts. During the Menorah lighting ceremony, attendees were given light-up candles that flashed red, blue and green.

Perhaps most notable in the hallway though was Adam Levison and Haley Trash of Kaleidoscope Circus traversing the hall on stilts.

Levison, who regularly attends the Chabad House, was asked by Refson to join the event. On his stilts, Levison was dressed like a dreidel, a four-sided spinning top game typically played during Hanukkah.

"It's incredible to see all of the different Jewish communities in Savannah gathered in one place," Levison said.

Evan Lasseter is the city and county government reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at ELasseter@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah Jewish community gathers for Hanukkah event