MONTGOMERY - Mayor Steven L. Reed, the City of Montgomery’s Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Jewish Federation of Central Alabama invite the public to Montgomery’s Hanukkah Celebration.

 In the face of recent anti-Semitism across the country, the Montgomery community will come together to stand with Montgomery’s Jewish community and celebrate Hanukkah with a Menorah Lighting on Monday, December 19 at 5 p.m. at Montgomery City Hall, 103 N. Perry Street.  Montgomery’s Jewish community has a long, vibrant history – dating back to 1785. Jewish civic and community leaders have played an extensive role in the development of the Montgomery’s culture, economic development, and overall prosperity.

 WHAT: Menorah Lighting;

WHERE: Montgomery City Hall, 103 N Perry St, Montgomery, AL 36104;

WHEN: December 19 at 5:00 p.m.

 Hanukkah -- which means "dedication" in Hebrew -- commemorates the miracle of a small group of Jews overcoming the oppressive rule of the Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks) in the 2nd century BCE and keeping the menorah lit in the Holy Temple for eight nights with only one day's supply of candle oil. In observance of Hanukkah, the menorah is lit for eight nights in order to re-dedicate ourselves to being lights of goodness and contributing to the improvement of the world as a whole.