Independence Mall became a gathering place and a source of light for Philadelphia’s Jewish community on Saturday night. Cars moved in a caravan with neon menorahs lit on their roofs, music played, families danced together, and a crowd gathered in front of a massive menorah, marking the seventh night of Hanukkah in the city.
What brought everyone together this night was simple yet profound: “The message of Hanukkah is the message of light over darkness, that we have to be strong, and we have to be together,” said Rabbi Menachem Schmidt, executive director of Jewish Heritage Programs. “That is a message for the whole world.”
The Philly Chanukah Parade, organized by the Philadelphia Lubavitcher Center, is part of a tradition that was born in that very place. In 1974, on the same site in front of Independence Hall, Philadelphia hosted its first large-scale public menorah lighting, a gesture that would later be replicated in cities around the world. Since then, celebrating Hanukkah in public has become an annual tradition in the city.
Lois Yampolsky, administrative assistant at the Chabad Center, has been involved in organizing the event for more than 20 years. And despite having seen the parade many times, she says it still feels new. “It’s like seeing it for the first time. 200 cars coming down Market Street with lit menorahs on top, singing and happy, as if nothing else takes over. With all that’s going on, with all the craziness in the world, with antisemitism, and other groups hating one another, and all the wars going on, it’s the most amazing, powerful thing you ever want to see.”
This year, the gathering carried additional meaning. Following the recent mass shooting that killed 15 participants attending a celebration of the first night of Hanukkah in Sydney, Australia, several attendees said coming together felt especially necessary. “It feels different for me to be celebrating in public after what happened in Australia last week. It feels more important to be out in public celebrating. I think it’s important for us to show pride in our Judaism, in who we are, and not be afraid,” said Sharon Wolfson, who arrived with family and friends around 7 p.m. to wait for the caravan.
Many people Billy Penn spoke with also emphasized that Jewish visibility in public spaces is not only a response to violence, but a constant practice of resilience. “I would be out here doing this anyway,” said Jen Berman, who was attending alongside Wolfson.
Hanukkah, known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated over eight nights. Saturday marked the seventh night of Hanukkah. Candles are lit after nightfall with the intention that they be seen. The light is not meant to stay indoors, but to occupy public space. In Philadelphia, that idea took the form of a car parade with illuminated menorahs traveling down the Parkway toward the city’s historic core.
The large menorah lit on Saturday night was placed on the lawn of Independence Mall, facing Market Street, where the car parade began shortly before 8 p.m.
Despite the cold, the evening included music and activities for children, including candy tossed from a fire truck. The goal, organizers said, was for everyone to feel included.
Lizzy Friedman, co-founder of Shtick Together Philadelphia, was among the younger attendees. “My grandparents are Holocaust survivors. They met in Dachau. I promise to always carry on their legacy and to be proud of who I am, no matter the hate. Every situation just makes me stronger. It’s the message of Hanukkah: We won’t let any hatred dim our light.”
Grandparents, parents, teens and children, along with more than 45 rabbis from across the city, gathered beneath the menorah, which was lit shortly after 8:30 p.m. The rabbi who started the tradition, his son, and a young child were lifted by a crane to light the candles by hand. Even with temperatures in the 30s, attendees watched the ceremony with smiles on their faces, celebrating each candle as it was lit until the end.
Celebrating Hanukkah at Independence Mall is more than a local tradition: it’s a reminder that Jewish life has had and continues to have a visible place in the city.
In a year marked by fear and violence, the message for those in attendance was clear: being present, lighting the candles, and doing so publicly remains essential.
“After any tragedy, resilience comes down. When you squeeze, the best comes out of something,” said Rabbi Zalman Wircberg (Rabbi Zash), executive director of the Old City Jewish Arts Center. “When people are crushed and hit rock bottom, that’s when you sway. In Judaism, sometimes you get hit, and it brings out resources that were dormant. You had that resilience.”
