Hundreds gathered at Mt. Lebanon’s Clearview Common on Dec. 17 to commemorate Chanukah on the holiday’s fourth night.
The community-organized menorah lighting marked the first time the township publicly celebrated the Jewish Festival of Lights. The event included participation from all three South Hills synagogues — Beth El Congregation of the South Hills, Chabad of the South Hills and Temple Emanuel of the South Hills.
Held near one of the township’s two Christmas trees, the event drew members of the Jewish community, local elected officials and residents interested in celebrating the holiday.
The lighting represented a victory for the Jewish community, which rallied at a January commission meeting to advocate for public recognition of Chanukah. The effort was initially led by Chabad of the South Hills Rabbi Mendy Rosenblum, who spent the past three years championing the placement of a public menorah and the idea of a Chanukah parade.
Rosenblum called the event “gratifying after spending so many years trying to get the menorah placed in Mt. Lebanon.”
He said he was not surprised by the turnout, noting the significance of the menorah and how thoughtfully the event was arranged.
Mt. Lebanon resident Charlene Tissenbaum planned the event alongside fellow residents Eva Gelman and Stacey Reibach. She said she was pleased by the larger-than-expected crowd.
The event, she said, would not have been possible without the support of the three synagogues and their rabbis; Bryan Neft, who helped negotiate the menorah’s placement with the township; the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh; the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh; and the township, which provided security.
“The fact that three residents were able to make this happen with the support of Mt. Lebanon is a tribute to the great place we live in,” Tissenbaum said.
For Neft, the event was marked by both joy and sadness.
“Joy because we were successful in getting Mt. Lebanon to have a menorah for the first time on public property,” he said. “The sadness came because the police and fire departments had to provide so much protection. It’s sad that it has become necessary for us to pray in peace in this country.”
Temple Emanuel of the South Hills Rabbi Aaron Meyer thanked Municipal Manager Keith McGill, the Rev. Noah Evans, chair of the Civic Engagement Board, the Mt. Lebanon commissioners, event organizers and the township’s police and fire departments.
“I’m so grateful for our friends and neighbors for making Mt. Lebanon a wonderful community in which to be Jewish,” Meyer said.
City of Pittsburgh Controller Rachael Heisler also attended the event and said she was grateful to be invited.
“The event was so well attended, and in light of the recent antisemitic attack in Australia, it’s more important than ever that non-Jews show up for their Jewish neighbors,” Heisler said. “I was really glad to see such broad support and attendance.”
Beth El Congregation of the South Hills Rabbi Alex Greenbaum summed up the sentiment shared by many in attendance.
“It was a Chanukah miracle,” he said.
