On a cold winter’s night on 20th Street in Norfolk’s Ghent neighborhood, electric Menorah candles atop car roofs radiate a soft, warm glow.
“The idea here is that you take the joy and the light of Hanukkah and you take that around town,” said Rashi Brashevitzky, of Chabad of Tidewater on Colley Avenue.
On Thursday night, the second evening of Hanukkah, a parade line forms along 20th Street, weaving its way around Norfolk.
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“So that people can be aware that this miracle happened,” Brashevitzky said. “The foundation of Hanukkah is that of religious freedom and that really applies to all people and that’s the message we’re bringing to the streets tonight.”
This year, the first night of Hanukkah began on Christmas Day, something that hasn’t happened since 2005.
“It’s kinda nice so that people know we’re celebrating both holidays,” said Eli Lomogda, who was also in the parade. “You know we’re celebrating Hanukkah, too.”