Celebrate Chanukah at these 7 local Menorah lightings

Are you ready for Chanukah, Birmingham? Chabad of Alabama, together with a number of local municipalities and organizations, has a full schedule of Menorah lightings, starting December 7, for you and your family this year.

Keep reading for the lineup.

Menorah lightings around Birmingham

Each Menorah lighting will have traditional Chanukah treats, including potato latkes and jelly-filled donuts, also known as sufganiyot, music, games and more. Bring your whole family to the celebration.

1. UAB

• When: Thursday, December 7 | Noon
• Where: Wallace Tumor Institute, 1824 6th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233

2. Lane Parke

• When: Thursday, December 7 | 5PM
• Where: In front of Jeni’s Ice Cream, 931 Jemison Lane, Mountain Brook, AL 35223

3. Grand Menorah lighting at The Summit

• When: Sunday, December 10 | 4:30PM
• Where: Saks Fifth Avenue Plaza, 129 Summit Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35243

4. Homewood

• When: Monday, December 11 | 5PM
• Where: 18th Street S, Birmingham, AL 35209

5. Birmingham

• When: Tuesday, December 12 | 4PM
• Where: Across from Birmingham City Hall, 710 20th Street N, Birmingham, AL 35203

6. Hoover

• When: Wednesday, December 13 | 5PM
• Where: Hoover Public Library, 200 Municipal Drive, Hoover, AL 35216

7. Vestavia Hills

• When: Thursday, December 14 | 5:30PM
• Where: Vestavia City Hall, 1032 Montgomery Hwy, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216

Menorah parade

On the eighth night of Chanukah, Chabad of Alabama is having a Car Menorah Parade to bring light to The Magic City.

• When: Thursday, December 14 | 4:30PM
• Where: Leaves from Chabad of Alabama, 3040 Overton Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223

Want to participate? Here’s what you need to know:

• Each car will get a magnetic car menorah or a Chanukah flag
• You will be accompanied by a police escort
• There is a suggested donation of $25 for each car
• Reserve your spot

The parade will end at the Vestavia Hills City Hall and the Menorah lighting will follow.

The meaning of Chanukah

Chanukah, also spelled Hanukkah, is an eight-day festival of lights celebrated with a nightly Menorah lighting, special prayers, playing dreidel and more.

Much like the Jewish Holiday Passover, Chanukah celebrates freedom of oppression and supports religious expression.

“Chanukah celebrates the victory of the small Jewish army over the mighty Syrian-Greek army that wanted to erase their way of life, and the miracle that occurred when the reclaimed the Holy Temple and lit the menorah.”

Mushka Posner, Chabad of Alabama

Traditional Chanukah treats you can find at each of the Menorah lightings include fried foods like latkes and sufganiyot, and we spoke to Miriam Friedman with Chabad of Alabama about the significance of eating fried foods during this season.

“When [the Jewish army] wanted to light the Menorah, they went into the temple and found one little jug of oil that had not been broken, and that was the miracle of Chanukah—that the little chunk of oil lasted for eight days.

So, traditionally in Judaism, we take things that are fried in oil like latkes and sufganiyot (donuts).”

Miriam Friedman, Chabad of Alabama, Director of JAHM Chai Tots Preschool

Friedman reflected on this time of year and how making these traditional foods for her family brings her back to when she celebrated Chanukah while growing up.

“When I make them for my children it takes me back to the memories of growing up in my own house. I remember my mother made delicious latkes and the memory of being home as a kid and lighting the Menorah as a family.”

Miriam Friedman, Chabad of Alabama, Director of JAHM Chai Tots Preschool

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