Over six hundred happy faces were seen on Sunday, the first night of Chanukah at the Maybourne Hotel in Beverly Hills (Beverly Canon Gardens), for a grand Chanukah event and Menorah lighting hosted by the JEM Community Center.
The event included a large 10 foot Menorah, music, face painting, photo booths, fruit carts, latkes, and of course the traditional donuts.
Rabbi Hertzel Illulian welcomed the dignitaries and community leaders Mayor Lili Bosse (Mayor of Beverly Hills), Council Member Dr. Sharona Nazarian, and Holocaust Survivor Mr. Joe Alexander who recently celebrated his 100 birthday (until 120 G-d willing).
The crowd was enthralled with the spirit of the Hanukkah lights as Rabbi Illulian’s message rang forth of hope and the light that we carry inside of us that can never be extinguished. Rabbi Hertzel Illulian said “Today we need to take our candle and light someone else’s candle. Let’s all add more light, more Mitzvah and add one more good deed to make a difference and bring Moshaich now!” Rabbi Hertzel Illulian praised Mayor Lili Bosse, who herself is a child of holocaust survivors, for her selfless dedication and how she will go into harm’s way for her people no matter where!
Mayor Lili Bosse thanked Rabbi Illulian for his continuous dedication and incredible work for the community for over 30 years and said “as Jews we are so proud, we will never ever give up! We will come together with light, miracles and love and Judaism will be forever and ever!”
Then, Council member Dr. Sharona Nazarian shared a few words to the crowd ”It was such a miracle because the Hanukkah light was able to bring light during darkness and right now we are experiencing so much darkness like antisemitism and with what’s going on in Iran. We pray together that the miracle of Hanukkah will continue to spread the light and we as Jews standing today are a miracle and are a perfect reflection of what Hanukkah is. Am Yisroel Chai!”
Everyone was then led by Mr. Joe Alexander, holocaust survivor of 12 concentration camps, in a fiery “Shema Yisroel” and said “throughout my most troublesome times in the camps I never gave up hope and never stopped trusting in G-d! Today may be a tough day but tomorrow we hope it will be a much better one”. Joe Alexander went around, showed his number on his arm and blessed the children from his heart.
Mr. Mac Esfandi was honored with the lighting of the Menorah. The evening came to an end with Chanukah gifts distributed and traditional Chanukah gelt (dollars) thrown in the air given to all participants.
The JEM Community Center provides no membership fees for youth and teens throughout Los Angeles county, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood. Using contemporary technology, sport activities, indoor Olympic size pool, indoor NBA basketball court, and hands-on approach to learning, JEM presents Jewish history, values, and traditions in a manner that inspires visitors with an increased interest and involvement in their heritage and Jewish Identity. JEM caters to the masses, affecting the survival of the Jewish people as a nation. To learn more about the JEM Community Center and its programs visit www.JEMCenter.com
Rabbi Illulian I used to be your student at Beverly Hills High School. I remember the menorah lighting on the green grass of the campus and the shabbaton you took us to Mexico 🇲🇽
You sent me to Yeshiva and now I am religious. Thank you.
Jonathan M.
So heartwarming to see the Holocaust survivor (With the numbers on his arm.) celebrating Chanuka till 120!!
Mrs Illullian you look like a queen so regal and refined!! We should all learn from you!!
Lighting up beverly hills ! The most megusham place!
May u have success Michail el chayil