Tennessee Gov. Joins Lighting

For the first time in history, the state of Tennessee’s Governor and Speaker of the House lit the Capitol Menorah on the steps of the Tennessee State Capitol.

This past Wednesday, December 20th, Tennessee Governor, Bill Haslam, and the Speaker of the House, Beth Harwell, participated in the lighting of the Menorah at the Tennessee State Capitol.

The Menorah at the TN State Capitol is a commissioned piece of art, designed by a local sculptor, and has been standing at the Capitol during every Chanukah since 2003.

Over the years, many dignitaries and community leaders have lit the Menorah at the Capitol, including survivors from the Mumbai attacks, senators, mayors, congressmen, and members of the armed forces.

This year, for the first time in Tennessee State history, a sitting governor and the Speaker of the House lit the State Capitol Menorah, in the presence of all five Shluchim from across Tennessee, representatives from the Jewish Federation, members from the Tennessee Senate and House, Judges from the local circuit, lay leaders from across all denominations of the Jewish community, and over 250 guests.

The event began as Rabbi Yitzchok Tiechtel, the director of Chabad of Nashville, welcomed the many guests to the lighting of the Menorah. He spoke about the significance of this historic occasion, as the Tennessee governor now joins a select group of governors from across the USA who have lit Chanukah Menorahs at their respective Capitols.

The head Shliach of Tennessee, Rabbi Levi Klein, addressed the crowd and spoke about the significance of Chanukah, and pointed out that just like the heroes in the Chanukah story fought to preserve freedom and equality, so too, the political leaders in Tennessee work tirelessly to promote a positive agenda of goodness and kindness.

President of Chabad of Nashville, Mr. Tommy Bernard, thanked the Governor and the Speaker for their support of Chabad, and for joining in this year’s Menorah lighting. He then introduced the Speaker of the House Beth Harwell, who shared her greetings on behalf the Tennessee House of Representatives.

Addressing the rabbis, Governor Haslam remarked, “I consider it a great honor to have all of you here at the capitol.” The Governor also addressed the issue of separation of church and state, and remarked “It is our duty to be out here sharing the light with the people. It is events like this that make our society a better place.”

Chabad of Nashville, together with all of the Tennessee Shluchim, presented The Governor and Speaker with a Chanukah gift on behalf of all the Jewish communities across the state, a beautiful Menorah to place in their offices in the Capitol.

The Menorah was then lit by the Governor, the Speaker, Rabbi Levi Klein, and Rabbi Yitzchok Tiechtel.

The ceremony featured a musical performance by members of the Chabad Orchestra as all enjoyed hot cider with sufganiot, chocolate gelt, dreidels and Chanukah presents.

Shluchim attending were Rabbi and Mrs. Levi Klein (Chabad of Memphis), Rabbi and Mrs. Yitzchok Tiechtel (Chabad of Nashville), Rabbi Yossi Wilhelm (Chabad of Knoxville), Rabbi Shlomo Rothstein (Chabad at Vanderbilt University), and Rabbi Shaul Perlstein (Chabad of Chattanooga), Rabbi Aron Gopin (Rabbinical Intern – Chabad of Nashville).

The event was broadcasted on the local affiliate channels of ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox News.