For the first time ever in Winston-Salem members of the Jewish community celebrated Hanukkah by taking part in the inaugural public menorah lighting. It took place at Bailey Park. Rabbi Levi Gurevitz and Mayor Allen Joines took part in a Hanukkah celebration that featured lots of music, singing, food and traditional blessings. Wednesday night’s lighting was special marking the first-ever public menorah lighting in Winston-Salem. Rabbi Levi Gurevitz who lead the celebration said the menorah is in remembrance of a miracle that happened about 2,200 years ago. “The Greeks were trying to force the Jews to put out their light and not allow them to practice freely and the Maccabees lead by Judas the Maccabee was able to overcome them miraculously and light a candelabra for eight days even though we had enough oil just for one day,” said Levi Gurevitz who is the Rabbi at Chabad at Wake Forest University.People who attended the menorah lighting and celebration said it was great to see so many people show up. “I’m Jewish born and raised in Chicago this kind of thing would be pretty common there so it’s great to have it in our community where we have a smaller Jewish community but still strong,” said Sam Zivin.And others even dressed up for the occasion. “To see such a big gathering of people too it’s really amazing and it really makes me feel proud to be Jewish,” said Wake Forest University student Sydney Rojas who dressed up as a dreidel. Gurevitz also said it was inspiring to see such a large crowd. He said the simple message of Hanukkah is light.“Try to add a little light try to see what good can I do for others and hopefully that light will reflect in you and in the world around you and if each of us do that we can make this world a better and maybe a perfect place,” he said. Hanukkah continues through the evening of Monday, Dec. 6.