Public Menorah lighting held in Bonifay during Hanukkah observance

The Jewish Community of Holmes County gathered Sunday evening, December 14, at the former Holmes County Middle School campus in Bonifay for a public Menorah Lighting, marking the celebration of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.

Community members and guests met shortly after sunset before the menorah was lit, commemorating the eight-day Jewish holiday that celebrates faith, perseverance, and religious freedom. The event was free and open to the public and welcomed attendees of all backgrounds to learn about the significance of Hanukkah and its traditions.

Central to the ceremony was the lighting of the shamash, or service candle which is the middle candle of the menorah. This is used to light the remaining candles during Hanukkah. This year, the shamash was lit by retired U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Cody Jones, symbolizing service, leadership, and the responsibility of using light to illuminate others.

Organizers noted that the ceremony also carried added meaning as communities worldwide reflected on tragic events reported earlier in the day in Sydney, Australia. Attendees observed the lighting with a spirit of unity, remembrance, and hope.

Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle in which a small amount of oil intended to last one day, burned for eight days. The menorah lighting serves as a reminder of resilience and the enduring presence of light, even in times of darkness.