The Reid Park Zoo will host a Chanukah celebration for the Jewish community on Monday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. Chabad of Tucson will rent the 17-acre venue from the City of Tucson to mark the fifth night of Chanukah with a display of holiday lights, light sculptures and a giant menorah.
The ceremony will feature Andrew Warsaw, who recently joined the upper echelons of Arizona Wildcat football as operations coordinator. Personal menorahs and candles will be available for participants of all ages to light as well.
Jewish music will be played as participants explore the zoo to view the animals and the birds and enjoy holiday food. There will be arts and crafts for children and the Zoo Express train will offer rides.
“Chanukah is a holiday that has something for all ages, and we wanted this community-wide celebration to reflect that,” says Rabbi Yossie Shemtov, regional director of Chabad Tucson. “Religious freedom was denied to the entire nation in the second century B.C.E. The menorah we kindle is a symbol of our dedication to preserve the right and liberty of all people to worship G-d freely and with pride.”
Although this is its first community Chanukah event at the zoo, this will be Chabad of Tucson’s 30th annual public menorah lighting. Chabad affiliate centers in Southern Arizona will hold additional Chanukah celebrations.
Admission for Chanukah at the Zoo is $15 per person (children under the age of 2 enter free). Tickets are available at www.ChabadTucson.com/zoo or 881-7956.
