Menorah lighting in SLO celebrates first night of Hanukkah

More than 100 people attended the menorah lighting for the first night of Hanukkah on Thursday evening at Mission Plaza.

Rabbi Micah Hyman of Congregation Beth David and San Luis Obispo Mayor Erica Stewart spoke before the candle lighting, which was followed by traditional songs.

The event was sponsored by the JCC Federation of San Luis Obispo, and a different local Jewish organization will light a candle each night at 5 p.m. until the last night of Hanukkah on Dec. 14.

The tradition dates back to Rabbi Harry Manhoff of Congregation Beth David and Father Jim Nisbet of Old Mission Church, who made plans to celebrate Hanukkah at the center of town in December 1990.

This story was originally published December 7, 2023 at 7:05 PM.

David Middlecamp

The Tribune

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David Middlecamp is a photojournalist and third-generation Cal Poly graduate who has covered the Central Coast region since the 1980s. A career that began developing and printing black-and-white film now includes an FAA-certified drone pilot license. He also writes the history column “Photos from the Vault.”