Since 2009 the local Chabad rabbis have organized a Chanukah celebration with the Kansas governor. Up until now, that event was by invitation only. This year the event is being expanded and will be held at the Kansas Capitol and the Jewish communities of Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka, Manhattan and Wichita are all invited. Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback is expected to attend.
The event, known as Grand Communitywide Chanukah Celebration at the Kansas State Capitol, will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the last night of Chanukah, Wednesday, Dec. 4. The event is free but reservations are appreciated so that enough supplies will be on hand. Reservations can be made by emailing or by calling Chabad of KC at 913-649-4852.
Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel, who is organizing the event on behalf of Chabad of KC and Chabad at KU, which serves the capitol region, is thrilled the event is expanding this year. He said it began in 2009 as a small gathering of rabbis and community leaders and was held in the governor’s ceremonial office.
“For the past two years the event was held at the governor’s official residence, the Cedar Crest Mansion in Topeka. In recent years there have been anywhere from 50 to 60 people in attendance, including elected officials, clergy, community leaders and representatives of various Jewish communities from across the state,” Rabbi Tiechtel explained.
Since the event is open to the public for the first time this year, he is hesitant to predict how many will attend.
“This is the first time Chanukah will be celebrated at the Kansas Capitol, and we hope that many people will join us on this special occasion,” Rabbi Tiechtel said.
As has been the custom, this Chanukah celebration will include greetings from the governor, a message from the rabbi, the kindling of the menorah, live music “and a delicious Chanukah buffet of latkes, sufganiyot, gelt and more.”
Music will be provided by KU freshman and HBHA graduate Avery Parkhurst, who will play the violin, and a keyboardist. This year there will also be hands-on activities for children.
There will be a “Menorah Parade” of cars and busses heading both from Overland Park and Lawrence to Topeka for this event. The Menorah Parade will leave from Chabad of KC, 6201 Indian Creek Drive, at 4 p.m. A “Menorah Bus” will leave from KU Chabad at 4:45 p.m.
Rabbi Tiechtel is looking forward to the “amazing display of Jewish pride as hundreds of Jewish Kansans join together to celebrate our heritage and reaffirm the universal lessons which the menorah represents.”
“This event will be a great opportunity for Jewish unity here in Kansas. We are expecting representatives of all Jewish communities across the state, from Johnson County to Lawrence, Topeka, Manhattan, Wichita and beyond. What a great way to celebrate the festival of Chanukah, which is all about increasing the light in the world around us!”
