More than 25 menorah-topped vehicles—including three pickups with giant 6-foot menorahs—paraded through St. Paul, Minnesota en route to the State Capitol for a grand public menorah lighting on the first night of Chanukah.
The event was organized by Upper Midwest Merkos—Chabad-Lubavitch of the Twin Cities, and shluchim from across the area participated, as well as many community members.
“People lined the streets clapping and cheering as we drove by,” said Rabbi Mayer Rubinfeld, who organized the event. “It was a beautiful display of Jewish pride. Jewish and non-Jewish people message me that they wait the whole year to see the parade of lights.”
The parade threaded its way through the Highland Park and Macalester-Groveland neighborhoods of St. Paul before making its way to downtown, where the procession halted at the Minnesota State Capitol for a public menorah lighting — a decades-long tradition in the state.
Senator Amy Klobuchar sent a message to be shared at the event, expressing her kind wishes to the Minnesota Jewish community, and ending with the wish, “May your latkes be crisp and may your donuts be sweet!” This message was read by Outreach Director Josh Ortiz.
Rabbi Moshe Feller, regional director of Upper Midwest Merkos, addressed the event and shared a Chanukah message of Jewish pride.
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Feller, Associate Director of Upper Midwest Merkos, led the event and shared words of inspiration.
Those gathered enjoyed Chanukah refreshments and lively music before heading home in their menorah-topped cars, continuing to illuminate their surroundings with the bright light of Chanukah.
