Photos: Muli Berger/COLlive
Thursday evening, the 5th night of Chanukah, a number of Chabad Houses in LA/West Hollywood/Hollywood Hills held a grand Chanukah Festival at the West Hollywood Gateway Shopping Center.
Hundreds of people joined for the festivities, with the energetic crowd enjoying an exciting concert, music and entertainment.
“It was so nice to be back at the West Hollywood Gateway after last year not being able to be there,” said Rabbi Sholom Ber Rodal, one of the event organizers.
The evening’s featured singer and entertainer was the up-and-coming performer Yossi Rodal, accompanied by DJ Shalom Borbely.
Robert Baxt had the crowd laughing and scratching their heads in amazement with his banter and magic tricks, Chris Grabher wowed the crowd while juggling on stilts, and Shneur Smith , the fire juggler, was breathtaking.
A group of Yeshiva Bochurim was on hand, frying up delicious Latkes on the spot – more than a thousand of them were eaten!
The bochurim also helped liven the festival with spirited dancing.
Girls from Ohel Chana and Beis Rebbe helped with the crafts and other booths, and face painting and balloon art were enjoyed by all.
The highlight of the event was the grand Menorah lighting. Russian Jewish Actress Sasha Kerbel was honored with lighting the Shamash of the Menorah.
Rabbi Shmuly Gurary sang the blessings in his cantorial voice, and the crowd joined in the joyous singing and dancing.
“What a special evening and occasion! Thank you to our sponsoring partners,” said the organizers. Sponsors of the event were The West Hollywood Gateway, and Colliers International, Rabbi Yossi Manela & Congregation Agudas Achim & Manela Family, and the Chabads of- Miracle Mile Area, Rabbi Chaim Fischer, Chabad Jewish Center of Hancock Park, Rabbi Shmuly Gurary, Chabad Russian Synagogue, Rabbi Naftoli Estulin and Rabbi Velvel Tsikman and Chabad of Mt Olympus, Rabbi Sholom Ber Rodal.
Hes always a good show. The fire juggling is wild!