Pueblo synagogue hosts the first public menorah lighting in the city’s history
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) - Community members gathered to celebrate the start of Hanukkah in Pueblo Sunday night.
It's a show of community support after a man was arrested for allegedly plotting to blow up the Temple Emanuel last month, pushing the city into the national spotlight. Now, the United Hebrew Center has hosted the first public menorah lighting in Pueblo's history.
The Hanukkah Menorah Lighting kicked off around 5 p.m. outside the Courthouse, complete with music and donuts.
Pueblo Chief of Police Troy Davenport, Mayor Nick Gradisar and District Attorney Jeff Chostner, made an appearance and helped light the menorah.
KRDO crews talked to organizers and community members about the start of a new tradition.
"This celebration tonight was amazing," said Pueblo resident, Linda Washington. “Hanukkah is a celebration of lights and peace and that’s what this was.”
Washington told us she met people of all religions at the event, not just Jewish people.
"I’d say a third of the people here were Jewish, and 2/3 of the people were not Jewish but came out to support us," she said.
One of the organizers, David Israel, told us that's exactly what they hoped would happen.
"Non Jewish people, non believing people, it doesn’t matter," he said.
Israel told KRDO coming together for the greater good is what Hanukkah is all about.
"We all have a light inside of us that we can bring out and show to the world."