The lights led the way through the darkness on Monday.

More than 125 vehicles adorned with menorahs — a sacred candelabrum with eight lights used in Jewish worship, some homemade and others that have been purchased — made their way through the streets of Pittsburgh.

“Hanukkah is about light and warmth and bringing that into the world,” said Rabbi Yisroel Altein of Chabad of Squirrel Hill, the parade coordinator. “In our homes we have the light in a window or a doorway so people can see the light. With this parade we take that light into the streets.”

The parade is held to bring light out into the world, said Rabbi Eliezer Shusterman of Squirrel Hill, associate Rabbi at Sharre Torah.

“We want to bring a positive perspective,” Shusterman said.

Mannis Frankel, of Squirrel Hill, who is principal at Yeshiva Boys School, made his own menorah, which he attached to the back of his van and not on top like most of the other participants. He created reflections of dreidels onto the ground from a spotlight on the menorah.

“I really like to make things, so this was fun to do,” he said.

Sponsored by Chabad of Pittsburgh and Yeshiva Schools, the parade traveled from Shadyside, through Squirrel Hill, and onto the Homestead Gray’s Bridge, eventually arriving at The Waterfront in Homestead for a grand menorah lighting. Members of the Pittsburgh police served as parade escorts.

View this post on Instagram

Covering the Menorah Parade sponsored by Chabad of Pittsburgh at the Waterfront in Homestead

A post shared by JoAnne Harrop (@joannetrib) on Dec 23, 2019 at 2:49pm PST

The lighting of the 12-foot grand menorah took place at 6 p.m. Tiki torches were lit for the first two days of Hanukkah.

Prior to the lighting, Pittsburgh City Councilman Corey O’Connor addressed the crowd along with Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.

They thanked the crowd for bringing light to the city and the entire Jewish community in Pittsburgh as it celebrates the Festival of Hanukkah, which began Sunday.

This was the fourth year for this festival at the Waterfront. Last year, the event included remembering the 11 people who died in the Tree of Life synagogue attack on Oct. 27, 2018, in Squirrel Hill.

Each was honored with a candle.

Leah Herman of Squirrel Hill attended Monday’s event with her family.

“It is a very unifying event,” she said. “I love it all. I love the music. I love the coming together to celebrate.”

The evening included live music, ethnic foods, and children’s activities.

Hasidic contemporary music artist Avraham Fried performed for the crowd, estimated 2,000. A fan favorite in the Orthodox Jewish tradition, Fried has released more than 25 CDs and performed for sold-out shows at New York City’s Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, London’s Wembley Hall and Tel Aviv’s Heichal Hatarbut.

The event continues to grow, said Emily Wittmer, marketing director at The Waterfront.

“I think we had a missing piece here at the Waterfront, and this festival is a perfect fit,” Wittmer said. “It is such a welcoming event.”

It has been an amazing partnership with the Waterfront, said event organizer Rabbi Elchonon Friedman of Bnai Emunoh Chabad in Greenfield.

“We started with something small, and it’s turned into something big, something really big,” he said. “It’s an evening for everyone to enjoy. You see everyone from babies to senior citizens and every age in between. That’s what the celebration is all about.”

The free event took place under the bridge between Barnes & Noble and Primanti Bros. and is held regardless of weather. Monday’s temperature was comfortable for the end of December in Pittsburgh, said Altein, who added “God provided the nice weather.”

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---