Historic Menorah in South Dakota

KSFY and COLlive reporter

It’s an exciting time for the Jewish community in South Dakota.

Not only does this week mark the celebration of Chanukah, the state’s new and only rabbi is in town as he prepares to move to South Dakota from New York.

Thursday night Rabbi Mendel Alperowitz held a public menorah lighting at the Washington Pavilion to celebrate.

Mayor Mike Huether was at the packed event of over 200 people.

As Rabbi Alperowitz lit the menorah, many people there were thinking about the bright future ahead for the Jewish community in the state, the last state in the US to establish a Chabad Center.

“Chanukah is one of those holidays that you can celebrate and be happy. You don’t have to worry about anything,” 11 year-old Payley Hendrickson said.

“We were able to come to this so the girls and myself could see the lighting of the menorah,” David O’Hayon said.

To help welcome the rabbi, the mayor came for the celebration.

“We have been embracing diversity at a higher and higher level here in Sioux Falls, and in South Dakota, and it’s all kinds of diversity including religious diversity,” Mayor Mike Huether said.

Video: Mayor Mike Huether welcomes Chabad

As the rabbi lit the menorah people reflected on what this means for the community.

“We get to expand our knowledge of the Torah together, all of the family, and influence the community with other Jews because I don’t know any other Jewish kids so I’ll meet some people that are new to me,” Hendrickson said.

Rabbi Alperowitz also conducted a Menorah lighting at the South Dakota State Capital.

In attendance were US Senator Mike Rounds, Governor Dennis Daugaard, Secretary Shantel Krebs, PUC Commissioner Chris Nelson, Chief Justice David Gilbertson and Chabad supporter Dan Lederman.

Rabbi Alperowitz plans on opening the Chabad Jewish Center of South Dakota in Sioux Falls sometime in January.

To donate to their initial fundraising efforts visit southdakotajewish.com/donate