Attending a Menorah Lighting Ceremony at Union Square, SF, USA

Desiring to take it easy today,  we did not plan to visit any attractions or join any tours. After watching the funeral broadcast at our hotel, we went to a coffee shop enjoying a relaxing afternoon and pouring over the travel brochures to figure out which tours we should take during our time in San Francisco.

A huge menorah has been set up in Union Square, SF.

Many holiday festivities are happening in December in this city. One of the festivities we attended was the lighting ceremony of the menorah at Union Square.

While Christians celebrate Christmas in December, Jewish people celebrate Chanukah. The lighting of the menorah signifies the beginning of Chanukah.

There are nine candles to be lit for the menorah.  Jewish people observing this special period would lit one candle a day, therefore it would take nine days to finish lighting the entire Menorah.







Each day during Chanukah, at 5:30pm in the Union Square, there would be a ceremony held to do the lighting.

We took part in the fifth day of the lighting ceremony. A crowd of about forty people gathered in front of the menorah.

A rabbi speaking at the lighting ceremony

A table was set up and a few Jewish gentlemen in their traditional attires were there handing out glow sticks to participants witnessing the lighting ceremony. We were given a miniature menorah.

At the ceremony, a rabbi talked about the oil used in the menorah and shared the Jewish traditions and stories related to it. I found the rabbi's message uplifting and inspiring.

A rabbi lighting the fifth menorah candle at Union Square

After the message, the rabbi walked up to the top of the stairs behind the menorah and lit the candles.

 5 candles have been lit at the Union Square

Then music and songs came on the loud speakers to accompany the lighting ceremony.

It was a festive moment celebrated with joy and hope.

Macy's Christmas window display, Union Square, SF, USA

At the Union Square, we saw the Macy's Christmas window displays for the first time. It was beautiful!

Union Square at night, San Francisco, USA

Regardless of our faith, we can always learn something positive from others.

We heard a lot about the lighting of the menorah and were delighted that we could witness the ceremony at Union Square!



R.T.
Union Square
San Francisco, Calif.
USA