Palin Attends Chanukah Celebration and Lights Menorah at Chabad of Alaska

ANCHORAGE, AK [CHI] — Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin lit a candle in memory of the victims of the Mumbai attacks and the Schluchim, Rabbi Gaviel Noach and Rivka Holtzberg, at a public Chanukah celebration of Chabad in Alaska organized by the Rebbe’s Schluchem Rabbi Yosef and Esty Greenberg.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

More than 600 people participated in the 18th annual Chanukah Arts Festival of Chabad in Alaska. The celebration was dedicated to adding light and good deeds of kindness as a response to the Mumbai attack. In addition to the Alaska tradition of lighting a giant ice Menorah for Chanukah; this year a “Cannorah,” a Menorah made of cans, was constructed by an Alaskan artist to be delivered to the needy as an expression of adding goodness and kindness to the world, which was lit by community supporters, David and Shani Green.

In addition to the Menorah candling ceremony there was also a memorial candle lighting ceremony for the Mumbai victims, by government officials and community leaders.

In attendance were, Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin, interim Mayor of Anchorage, Matt Clayman and speaker of the state House of Representatives, Mr. John Harris.

Governor Palin in her remarks brought condolences from the state of Alaska to the Jewish people, the Chabad movement and the Rebbe’s Schluchim. The Governor expressed Alaska and the U.S.’s solidarity with the Jewish people and Israel over the common enemy of terrorism and the deep and strong relationship of the two countries.

The giant ice Menorah was lit by a pillar of the Jewish Community, Mr. Jerry
Green. Mr. Green also received this year’s “Lamplighter” award for his outstanding generosity in helping purchase the new campus of Chabad in Alaska.

The students of the Hebrew youth club, presented a hilarious Chanukah theater, and students of the Gan Yaladim pre-school marched in the magnificent light parade to the sound of modern Chanukah music.

The annual Chanukah Art Festival of Chabad in Alaska is the largest Jewish celebration in Alaska, and receives major media coverage throughout the entire state. The celebration included activities for the whole family such as, a giant chocolate menorah, inflatable games and moon bounce, a Judaic gift shop, falafel and Israeli food stands and much more.

http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=14997