The state of Mississippi held its first-ever menorah lighting at the state capitol on Wednesday evening.
Assembled by Congregation Beth Israel in Gulfport, the ceremony was held as Jewish people across the globe celebrate Hanukkah.
Governor Tate Reeves, who was in attendance, voiced his support of Israel in its ongoing war with Hamas as well as the Jewish population within the Magnolia State.
“I was honored to help celebrate Hanukkah with the lighting of a menorah at our capitol tonight. Jewish people are once again facing persecution around the world,” Reeves said in a post on social media. “Let me be clear — Mississippi stands with them and the state of Israel during this difficult time!”
I was honored to help celebrate Hanukkah with the lighting of a menorah at our capitol tonight.
Jewish people are once again facing persecution around the world. Let me be clear – Mississippi stands with them and the state of Israel during this difficult time! 🇺🇸🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/wpE9kWCCet
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) December 13, 2023
Hanukkah began on Thursday, December 7. Wednesday’s ceremony took place on the seventh day of the festival.
On each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, Jewish people light special menorahs, adding another flame each night, until on the eighth night eight flames are burning brightly. The lighting takes place at a home, in a doorway, or near a window, and is performed after brief blessings are recited.
Hanukkah is a longstanding festival celebrated worldwide that commemorates the recovery of Jerusalem and the subsequent rededication of the second temple at the beginning of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the second century BC.
