Pittsburgh 'Menorah Parade' lights up the city

Despite months of pandemic gloom, the lights of Hanukkah shined bright Tuesday evening on Pittsburgh’s East End.

More than 75 vehicles illuminated with menorahs drove through the streets, honking horns and yelling “Happy Hanukkah” to the people lining the course.

The annual Menorah Parade celebrates Hanukkah, known as the festival of lights, held when the days become shorter and it gets dark earlier. It was held on the sixth night of Hanukkah. Each night a candle is lit on a menorah, which contains eight candles. As the candles are lit, the amount of light grows.

Pennsylvania’s latest covid-19 restrictions shortened the parade route and celebration. Still, the procession went on.

The parade began as it usually does at Rodef Shalom synagogue in Shadyside. It then proceeded to Fifth, Forbes, Murray and Hazelwood avenues before making its way to Browns Hill Road and up and around the front of the Jewish Association on Aging’s Charles Morris Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

In past years, the parade ended at The Waterfront in Homestead with a festival and lighting of a large menorah.

Kristina Serafini | Tribune-Review

Chaya Hoen (left), Nossin Hoen and Nachi Hoen (backseat) wait in line for the start of Chabad of Pittsburgh’s annual Grand Menorah Parade at Rodef Shalom in Shadyside on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. The event was scaled back this year due to covid-19.

There was no festival, short ceremony or lighting of the menorah because of state officials limiting outdoor gatherings to 50 people through Jan. 4.

On Tuesday, attendees remained in their cars.

They drove past Charles Morris and then exited the site. As they drove away, a juggler performed.

Rabbi Eli Wilansky of Greenfield, a mashgiach and dietary supervisor food and nutrition for the Jewish Association on Aging, brought his children Shmulik, Nechama and Yaakov to be part of the parade.

“It is so important that we did this, especially this year,” said Wilansky. “Covid time has prevented a lot of things from happening, but we wanted to bring Hanukkah to the streets of Pittsburgh. Our menorahs bring light to the darkness, and we’ve had a lot of darkness in 2020. Hanukkah is the festival of lights and it is so needed this time of year.”

The parade is about more than a procession of cars. It is about bringing the light to the people of Pittsburgh, said Rabbi Yisroel Altein of Chabad of Squirrel Hill, the parade’s organizer.

“The parade is a staple in Pittsburgh, and we were able to have it safely,” Altein said. “All people had to do was strap the menorah on their car and join in.”