Outdoor lighting ceremony and parade held for the sixth night of Hanukkah

WILKES-BARRE —Like many other streets in downtown, River Street is usually dark after sunset.

However, flames from seven special candles brought some light into the area Sunday night, which was also the sixth night of Hanukkah.

Rabbi Zvi Perlman from Bais Tzvi Yosef, a synagogue in Kingston, lit the middle candle, also known as the Shamus, on a large menorah outside of the Jewish Community Center first. The other candles were lit one by one by members of Bais Menachem, a local Jewish High School and youth organization.

Bais Menachem sponsored the lighting and a parade in collaboration with the Jewish Community Alliance of Northeast Pennsylvania. The purpose of the event, which was started in Wilkes-Barre 49 years ago, is to share the joy of Hanukkah with the whole community.

“It’s not just a Jewish message, said Uri Perlman, director of the school and organizer of the parade. “It’s a message of light within needing to stand up to darkness, and the message is that no matter how dark it is, the light we all have within overpowers the darkness.”

Rabbi Perlman, who immigrated to the area in 1976 from Jerusalem, will be spending the remaining two days of Hanukkah visiting two local prisons in Hunlock Creek and Dallas to celebrate with both Jewish and non-Jewish inmates. He’s been doing this for the past 10 years and said that the inmates are “happy to participate” and light candles with him.

Barbara Sugarman, the adult and cultural director of the JCA, plans to spend the final night of Hanukkah lighting candles in her home with her children and grandchildren, eating potato pancakes and jelly doughnuts.

“It’s more about family and togetherness,” she said.

After all the candles were lit, Rabbi Perlman recited a Hebrew prayer and various members of Bais Menachem stood with their arms around each other singing traditional Hebrew songs and dancing as well.

Following the lighting ceremony, a convoy of cars with large menorahs attached on top made their way down River Street and to various neighborhoods in Wilkes-Barre and Kingston, taking students to sings more songs and wish residents Happy Hanukkah.

Members of Bais Menachem, a local Jewish High School and youth organization, along with Rabbi Zvi Perlman sing traditional Hebrews songs following the lighting ceremony.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_lighting3.jpg.optimal.jpgMembers of Bais Menachem, a local Jewish High School and youth organization, along with Rabbi Zvi Perlman sing traditional Hebrews songs following the lighting ceremony.

Cars decorated with menorahs prepare to embark on a parade to offer Hanukkah greetings in various neighborhoods in Wilkes-Barre and Kingston.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_lighting2.jpg.optimal.jpgCars decorated with menorahs prepare to embark on a parade to offer Hanukkah greetings in various neighborhoods in Wilkes-Barre and Kingston.

Rabbi Zvi Perlman prepares to light the first candle on the menorah located outside the Jewish Community Center in Wilkes-Barre.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_lighting1.jpg.optimal.jpgRabbi Zvi Perlman prepares to light the first candle on the menorah located outside the Jewish Community Center in Wilkes-Barre.