Jewish Federation Offers Virtual Hanukkah Candle Lighting

PITTSBURGH, PA — You’ve probably seen the TV channels that just broadcast a continuous video of a Yule log burning, as a comforting background spreading no-effort holiday cheer. Netflix even has one this year.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh is taking that idea and making it their own–with a 24-hour video feed of a Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony. Beginning Thursday, there will be a repeating video with the correct number of candles burning, each for 24 hours until the next one is lit.

“The Jewish Federation has been focusing on helping people affected by the pandemic, and one of the major areas of need is keeping isolated people connected to Jewish life,” said Adam Hertzman, the federation's director of marketing. The candles will be lit in Hertzman's home.

“In a year in which a lot of people can’t get together with loved ones for Hanukkah, we thought that a virtual community menorah might bring a smile to a few of those people. It’s not just 24-7, it’s 24-8 for the eight days of Chanukah," Hertzman said.