Temple Beth Israel celebrates resilience with Hanukkah Menorah lighting

Temple Beth Israel is observing the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah with a menorah lighting and holiday dinner.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Temple Beth Israel is observing the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah with a menorah lighting and holiday dinner.

Members of the congregation met in the temple courtyard to sing traditional songs and light the first three candles of the menorah. After the lighting, they gathered in the dining hall to enjoy classic holiday treats like latkes, brisket and jelly donuts.

The president of the temple sisterhood, Marlene Humphry, says the holiday is about celebrating resilience.

“In today’s world, it’s even more important that we celebrate that we are a resilient people, that we’ve been through a lot, and we are like Gloria Gaynor’s song ‘I Shall Survive,’” Humphry said.

Thursday, December 8 marked the first night of Hanukkah. The holiday will continue through December 15.