Maine
Maine communities celebrate Hanukkah
MAINE (WMTW) – Many people Wednesday night celebrated the first night of Hanukkah.
The Jewish holiday officially started Wednesday at sundown.
City officials in downtown Portland lit a Menorah outside city hall in celebration.
The first night of Hanukkah and Christmas were on the same day this year for the first time since 2005.
Hanukkah’s eight-day celebration commemorates the miracle of the oil in the temple.
It is said there was only enough to last one day, but ended up lasting eight.
“It’s great. I think everyone should come together and celebrate because it’s a very festive day. Some people have a custom of giving you a present, called Hanukkah gelt, gelt giving something, we used chocolate gelt today, and you know it’s really a very happy time,“ said Rabbi Mo She Wilanksy, Chabad of Maine.
A Menorah will be lit up at the Statehouse with Governor Janet Mills.
Hanukkah festivities wrap up in the new year with a car-top Menorah parade into downtown Portland.
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