Muschka Weinbaum
Chabad of Alabama
Chabad of Alabama representatives, along with then-mayor Frank Brocato, light the menorah at the Hoover Public Library in 2024.
Mushka Weinbaum, program director with Chabad of Alabama, helps bring Jewish traditions and celebrations to communities across the state. In our conversation, she shared insights into the origins of Hoover’s Menorah Lighting and the enduring significance of Chanukah’s message of light.
Q: What is the story behind Chanukah?
A: Chanukah is the story of the Maccabees, a small band of Jewish priests who fought for their religious freedom. They triumphed over the Greek army, even though it was much greater and more advanced. After the victory and rededicating the Temple, a tiny amount of oil, enough for one day, burned for eight.
Q: How would you describe it to someone who doesn’t know?
A: Chanukah is the power of light over darkness, especially in the winter when it gets dark so early. We remember that when we see darkness, we don’t fight it with knives. We fight it with extra light. With Chanukah, every night we add one more candle, constantly increasing the light.
Q: How did the Hoover Menorah lighting begin?
A: We started at the Summit about 11 years ago. Ever since, other communities have wanted to join in and hold menorah lightings of their own. Vestavia was the first, and then we asked Hoover. Amanda Borden, director of the Hoover Public Library, helped us find the right location. She’s amazing. She pulls it all together. It’s a great location, and she made it all work out, so we started there. Last year was our second year doing it. We were so grateful to the mayor and so many city dignitaries who joined us!
Q: What makes Hoover’s celebration unique?
A: Hoover always puts on an amazing showing. A lot of different cultures and religions come to see the menorah lighting and hear the universal message of religious freedom. Last year, because of timing (Chanukah and Christmas clashed a bit on the calendar), we ended up doing a day carnival where kids could come, watch a movie in the library theater and do Chanukah activities. It was very sweet. And then we lit the menorah after that.
The 2025 Menorah Lighting is Dec. 17 at 5:00 p.m. at the Hoover Public Library.