The Nashville community is warmly invited to come together in joy, unity, and celebration at Chabad of Nashville’s First Night Chanukah Celebration, taking place Sunday, December 14, at 5:30 PM at Chabad of Nashville, 95 Bellevue Road. This uplifting holiday gathering welcomes everyone, children, families, adults, seniors, and community members of all backgrounds, to share in the light and spirit of Chanukah.
This year’s celebration will be highlighted by the participation of Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, who will join the community in lighting the first candle of the large public menorah. The menorah lighting, marking the opening night of the Festival of Lights, stands as a powerful symbol of hope, resilience, and the triumph of light over darkness.
The event will feature live music, face painting, cookie decorating, children’s crafts, and an abundance of Chanukah treats. Attendees will enjoy fresh donuts, crispy latkes, dreidels, and chocolate gelt, with special Chanukah gelt, donuts, and dreidels distributed to all participants. Families are encouraged to bring friends and neighbors for an evening filled with joy, warmth, and celebration.
“Chanukah is a holiday that enriches our lives with the light of tradition,” said Rabbi Yitzchok Tiechtel, Director of Chabad of Nashville. “In ancient times, our ancestors rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem by lighting the Menorah. Today, each candle we add teaches us to rededicate ourselves to bringing more goodness, more kindness, and more light into our world—one day at a time.”
Rabbi Tiechtel emphasized that Chanukah’s timeless message speaks directly to the challenges of our world today: that good ultimately prevails over evil, freedom over oppression, and light over darkness. “At a time when the world is facing open antisemitism and uncertainty, the message of Chanukah feels more urgent and more meaningful than ever,” he said.
This celebration is part of a global Chanukah initiative, with Chabad of Nashville joining thousands of Chabad centers around the world staging public menorah lightings and holiday programs. From South America to South Africa, Israel to India, New York City to the White House lawn, countless communities will gather to kindle the menorah and share in the joy of Chanukah.
Chabad of Nashville’s First Night Chanukah celebration is free and open to the public. All are welcomed with open arms to experience the beauty, hope, and unity of the Festival of Lights.
For more information, please call 615-480-4731, email rabbi@chabadnashville.com, or visit www.ChabadNashville.com.
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