​Hanukkah blessing abound at Catholic Jewish annual celebration marking two decades

Hanukkah blessing abound at Catholic Jewish annual celebration marking two decades

The Jewish and Roman Catholic communities of San Antonio were excited to host the 20th annual Catholic and Jewish Hanukkah Celebration on December 2 as an in-person event this year at the San Fernando Cathedral Hall.

The featured speaker was Rabbi Joshua Garroway, Ph.D. Rabbi Garroway serves as the Sol and Arlene Bronstein Professor of Judeo-Christian Studies and Professor of Early Christianity and Second Commonwealth at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

His presentation focused on “From San Antonio to Syrian Antioch: Jews, Catholics, and the Maccabees Across the Ages.”

The gathering began with opening remarks from Father Carlos Velazquez, rector of San Fernando Cathedral, and greetings from Michael Swanson, Board chair of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio.

Auxiliary Bishop Michael Boulette led the opening prayer, and the choir from Providence High School sang a choral presentation.

The guest presenter was introduced by Rabbi Emeritus Samuel Stahl of Temple Beth-El.

An explanation and blessings over the Hanukkah lights were given by Rabbi Marina Yergin, associate rabbi at Temple Beth-El and Cantor Ken Cohen of Congregation Agudas Achim.

Candle lighters included Auxiliary Bishop Mike Boulette and Maxine Cohen; Auxiliary Bishop Gary Janak and Lauren Stanley; San Antonio Police Chief William McManus and Rabbi Rikki Arad, executive director of Congregation Agudas Achim; Father David Garcia, former director of the Old Spanish Missions, and Rabbi Yergin; Father Victor Valdez, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church, and Mina Lopez; Joan Martinez, director of the Department of Pastoral Ministries, and Rabbi Lisa Goldstein; Lori Peery, assistant chancellor of the archdiocese, and Rhonda Gurinsky; Sister Grace Walle, FMI, chaplain of St. Mary’s University School of Law, and Charles Gurinsky.

After the singing of “Ma’Oz Tzur – Rock of Ages,” Rabbi Sharon Cohen of Congregation Agudas Achim concluded with the closing prayer.

The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio coordinates this annual event in partnership with the San Fernando Cathedral.