The first night of Hanukkah was a joyous one in Brooklyn, as hundreds of people from all over the country gathered to light the borough’s largest menorah in Grand Army Plaza. It was a cold night, said Rabbi Shimon Hecht of Congregation B’Nai Jacob in Park Slope,

‘The GOAT of Hanukkah’: Girl celebrates successfully lighting the menorah, reciting prayer Not everyone enjoyed Beyoncé's Christmas Day halftime performance. Police in Houston said several kids trying to rob a man were subsequently shot, with one now in critical condition.

This is the 14th year Menorah in the D has taken place in downtown Detroit, and organizers said they hope this tradition continues to grow year after year.

Among those who helped light a towering menorah in west Little Rock on Thursday were former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Rabbi Pinchus Ciment, who portrayed the nominee for the United States' ambassador to Israel as a trustworthy ally and exemplary leader: "Your strong support of our people and the country of Israel,

The Chabad Lubavitch Jewish Center of Merrimack Valley held its annual Grand Menorah Lighting at The Park, 36 Bartlet St., on Thursday to celebrate Hanukkah .

The free celebration takes place at the Newport Beach shopping center Sunday at 3 p.m., featuring holiday crafts, dreidels, doughnuts and free activities for kids.

The first Menorah candle was lit outside the California state capitol building on Dec. 25 as the Sacramento Jewish Community officially marked the beginning of Hanukkah. Community members gathered outside the west steps of the capitol building to take part in the festivities.

It was only the second time in the past 40 years that Christmas and the start of Hanukkah fell on the same day.

Chabad of Culver City hosted its seventh annual Hanukkah event on The Culver Steps in the center of town, with some 200 people taking part.

City and religious leaders lit the Menorah in Downtown Pittsburgh for Hanukkah. Mayor Ed Gainey led the event and said he hoped people could find light in any darkness they might be experiencing. “We pray for world peace.