Menorah lighting in Shoreline is a joyous occasion

German Kunin, Jesse Salomon and Rabbi Yechezkel Rapoport at Shoreline City Hall.

Photos courtesy Chabad Russian Program

150 joyful people braved the rain, dark, and cold to witness the lighting of the menorah on the steps of Shoreline City Hall on Sunday afternoon for the first day of Chanukah.

In front, Irene Pletner and Nina Krutik
are surrounded by Hanukkah participants

Rabbi Yechezkel Rapoport of the Chabad Russian Program led the event, which celebrates the victory more than 2,100 years ago of a militarily weak but spiritually strong Jewish people who defeated a ruthless enemy that had overrun ancient Israel and sought to impose restrictions on the Jewish way of life, prohibit religious freedom and force the Jewish people to accept a foreign religion.

For Rabbi Rapoport, Chanukah also has a modern meaning.

"In America, a nation that was founded upon and vigorously protects the right of every person to practice his or her religion free from restraint and persecution, the Menorah takes on profound significance, embodying both religious and constitutional principles.”

Shoreline Councilmember Jesse Salomon
stretches to light the first light

Shoreline Councilmember Jesse Salomon had the honor of lighting the menorah and addressing the crowd. He spoke about the First Amendment, Religious Freedom, and his personal experiences in Israel.

Anna Berezhok and her little one
enjoyed the event

In the party that followed the lighting, Eitan Yoffe won the kids' raffle and Rima and Abraham Press won the raffle for adults.

Marina Suleymanova was kept busy
frying donuts for the crowd

Hot donuts were made on site and served to the crowd.

Meanwhile, in Lynnwood, the South Snohomish county menorah lighting was held inside Lynnwood City Hall, and the speakers included Lynnwood Mayor Nicola Smith, and County Council Executive-elect Dave Somers.