Chabad of Knoxville is hosting its annual Chanukah celebration Unite Through Light featuring a free concert and menorah lighting in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Israel. The free event will be held at World’s Fair Park performance lawn on December 14.
Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon has been encouraging of a larger Chanukah event that could host a larger audience. Radio host, Hallerin Hilton Hill will emcee. The event is open to the entire community, regardless of religious affiliation. There will be pre-concert family-friendly activities on the lawn starting at 5:00 p.m. including a bounce house, games and traditional latkes sponsored by Trader Joe’s. The grand menorah lighting ceremony will take place at 6:00 p.m. World-renowned American-Israeli rapper, songwriter and music producer, Nissim Black, will hold a concert at 6:30 p.m.
Black’s inspirational and uplifting musical talents have made him a true visionary in the music industry. His videos on YouTube have reached more than 26 million viewers worldwide. He recorded a video message inviting people to come celebrate the last day of Chanukah.
“We’re going to have energy, we’re going to cry tears of joy and we’re going to sing together,” Black said of the event.
Rabbi Yossi Wilhelm of Chabad of Knoxville said the event is possibly more important now than ever before and hopes the Knoxville community will show up in celebration and solidarity.
“We aim to foster a deeper sense of unity across Knoxville’s diverse community and highlight the dignity of difference and the commonality that humanity shares,” said Rabbi Willhelm. “Sharing our traditions with the wider community is a powerful tool to eliminate artificial barriers that may divide us.”
Since 2001 Chabad of Knoxville has been organizing the public menorah lighting and community Chanukah celebrations. In recent years Chabad of Knoxville has partnered with the Knoxville Jewish Alliance and other Jewish organizations to bring the universal message of Chanukah – the amplification of light and tolerance – to the city of Knoxville. The Chanukah celebration attracts several hundred people annually.
The concert is free, but VIP seating can be purchased for $36. To purchase VIP seating or to become a corporate sponsor, contact rabbi@chabadknoxville.org. Event donor – $180, event sponsor – $360, event partner – $540.
To learn more, visit the website: chanukahinknoxville.com.
