The streets of Mt. Lebanon are set to glow a little brighter this holiday season.
That’s because for the first time, a menorah will be included in the municipality’s holiday display at Clearview Common on Washington Road.
As part of the celebration, a group of Mt. Lebanon residents held a menorah lighting on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 5:30 p.m. that included rabbis from all three of the South Hill’s synagogues—Beth El Congregation of the South Hills, Chabad of the South Hills and Temple Emanuel of South Hills.
The menorah’s inclusion is a victory for the Jewish community, who rallied at a January commission meeting and advocated for public recognition of the holiday. The charge was initially led by Chabad’s Rabbi Mendy Rosenblum who had spent the last three years championing a public menorah and Chanukah parade.
Charlene Tissenbaum, one of the organizers of this year’s menorah lighting, spoke at the commission meeting earlier this year.
When she learned that the municipality intended to include a menorah this year, she felt that the significance of the moment shouldn’t be ignored.
Tissenbaum enlisted the aid of Mt. Lebanon residents Eva Gelman and Stacey Reibach.
Temple Emanuel’s Rabbi Aaron Meyer said Mt. Lebanon officials deserve a thank you for including the menorah.
“I’m so grateful to Mt. Lebanon Municipal Manager Keith McGill, Rev. Noah Evans and the Civic Engagement Board, and the Mt. Lebanon Commissioners for hearing and acting upon the concerns of the Jewish community,” he said.
Those words were echoed by Beth El’s Rabbi Alex Greenbaum who said the resident organized menorah lighting struck the right tone.
“It’s perfect,” he said. “I don’t need any more.”
As for Rosenblum who hosts Chanukah celebrations in both Dormont and Washington, he said the victory is the celebration.
“It’s unbelievable in this largely Christian suburb of Pittsburgh that the holiday spirit is being ushered in with Chanukkah.”
In addition to the menorah lighting the celebration will include holiday favorites like gelt, dreidels and donuts.
