Hanukkah on the Hoan

This year, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation is using Hanukkah on the Hoan to help Shine A Light On Antisemitism in the Milwaukee community and around the world. Each night of Hanukkah, we will share a message of support from leaders in our community and will light up the Hoan bridge to represent the light of a candles’ flames.

Messages of Support from Community Leaders

Rabbi Wes Kalmar speaks on Antisemitism

Congresswoman Gwen Moore

Ahmed J. Quereshi: Islamic Society of Milwaukee and Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson

County Executive David Crowley

Darryl Morin: National President of Forward Latino

Bruce Varick: Associate Superintendent, Archdiocese of Milwaukee

Joan Lubar: Chair of Milwaukee Jewish Federation

Ramona Tenorio: Jewish Community Relations Council

Erik Kennedy: Co-founder of ElevAsion, Corry Joe Biddle: Vice President of Community Affairs at MMAC, and Moshe Katz: Former Chair of Milwaukee Jewish Federation

Light the Hoan Livestream

Watch the lighting of the Hoan each night of Hanukkah at the top of every hour beginning at 5 pm to 2 am.

View Milwaukee Jewish Federation Press Release

Shine a Light on Antisemitism

Across North America, antisemitism is on the rise. In 2020, 57.5% of all religiously-motivated hate crimes were against Jews, who make up just 2% of the U.S. population. One in every four American Jews has been targeted by antisemitism over the past year, and nearly four in ten report changing their behavior for fear of being identified as Jewish, or for their safety or comfort as Jew. Antisemitism persists across society in “polite” conversation as well as in explicitly dangerous and insidious forms, and typically tracks with broader patterns of discrimination, progressions of violence, and the fraying of democracy.

Throughout the eight days of Hanukkah, Shine A Light will illuminate modern forms of antisemitism and inspire awareness and action to fight it at every turn across America and Canada—in workplaces, schools and campuses, and online. 

Website: www.shinealighton.com for a full slate of events, resources, and tools

Many thanks to Commissioner Emeritus Allan H. “Bud” and Sue Selig whose financial support made this initiative possible.