MADISON, Wis. — Hanukkah celebrations are underway in Wisconsin.
This year is rare, because the first night of Hanukkah fell on the same day as Christmas. According to the Associated Press, this has only happend five times since 1900. The last time this happened was 2005.
Madison resident James Stein said he loves seeing menorahs on display in public places. He said he remembers a time when celebrating Jewish faith was only done privately.
“When I was young, we didn't do this in public,” Stein said. “We didn't do this because your religion was something that you kept to yourself. And when you were Jewish, you practiced it in your home.”
He said it’s important to share Hanukkah traditions with people of all backgrounds and religions. Stein said one of his favorite traditions is hanging a Star of David in the window at his home.
“We hang it in the window so our whole neighborhood can see that we're here and we're celebrating, and that the little bit of lightness that comes out of it can dispel a whole lot of dark,” he said.
There’s been a lot of dark this year, as war and unrest in the Middle East continue. Antisemitism nationwide is rising, according to the Anti-Defamation League.
That’s why Rabbi Avremel Matusof said it’s so important to come together at this time.
“There's definitely those who want to spread a message of the opposite of light,” Matusof said. “But our best approach and our best response is the message of Hanukkah; the one of we're going to persevere.”
Matusof helps lead Chabad of Madison, a Jewish center for people of all ages in the city, including University of Wisconsin-Madison students.
“When students are here, often they're missing their families, especially around the holidays,” Matusof said. “One of the taglines of Chabad is 'Your Home Away from Home.'”
The organization has a new home being built on Monroe Street. Matusof said it will be a community hub to accommodate a growing Jewish population.
Stein said that growth, and the eight days of Hanukkah, are important reminders for everyone.
“We’re living among this amazing community where people can celebrate their freedom, their freedom to practice their religion and their freedom from persecution,” he said.