TIMES OF ISRAEL
Two holidays, one theme: Hindus, Jews celebrate joint festival of lights
by Ronit Bezalel
November 20, 2018

A joint Hindu-Jewish Festival of Lights drew over 400 people to a suburban Chicago synagogue on Sunday, as together they honored the similarly-themed holidays of Hanukkah and Diwali. The evening, which featured speakers, candle lighting, food from both cultures, dance lessons, and the world’s only Indian-Jewish standup comedian, was hosted by Temple Beth-El in the Chicago suburb of Northbrook, Illinois. The Chicago event has inspired similar gatherings nationwide — from a December 8 celebration in San Francisco, to events being planned in New York, Atlanta and Florida. READ MORE