Hanukkah, the celebration of unwavering faith and miracles, is upon us. The eight-night observance is Dec. 7-15 and will be marked by Jewish families and their allies throughout South Florida.
HOTspots Happening Out Art Gallery with Dennis Dean is hosting Hanukkah ceremonies, with all eight nights observed in the gallery with the lighting of the menorah. The week kicks off Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. with the lighting and blessing from 6:30-7 p.m., with another lighting Dec. 9. These two ceremonies are with Etz Chaim and are free and open to the public.
The Dec. 12 event is with the Jewish Federation of Broward County, and focuses on its commitment to understand, engage with, and advocate on behalf of the Jewish LGBTQ community. The Co-Founder of the Miami Israel Collective, Lior Halabi, will be the guest speaker, and will feature light kosher bites and an open bar.
This event is $18 and people must register in advance by 5 p.m. Monday.
The gallery will host menorah lighting and blessings on the other five nights at 6:30 p.m. Security will be provided.
The gallery is partnering with the LGBTQ+ Jewish Congregation, Etz Chaim, and the Jewish Federation of Broward County to present the events.
“We’re thrilled and honored to be celebrating our very first Hanukkah 2023 with HOTspots. Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is the celebration of a miracle, of one day of oil that burned for eight days, of rededication and redemption, and of the preservation of a community that refused to assimilate,” said Etz Chaim Spiritual leader Marcia Weinstein. “We celebrate with our community partners [HOTspots and the Jewish Federation of Broward County] in bringing light and joy to the greater LGBTQIA+ community. Please come celebrate the Festival of Lights with us!”
Bringing the event together has been two years in the making. But gallery manager Jameer Baptiste says it is worth the effort.
“This has been an initiative two years in the making since the gallery was birthed. We’ve always wanted to show our support for the Jewish LGBTQ+ community, and finally, all the moving parts have come together to make it possible.”
