Holiday lights were shining in downtown Culver City on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 to celebrate the first night of Chanukah. A crowd of almost 500 filled the plaza to join Rabbi Levi Begun, the Director of Culver City Chabad, to light the menorah.
Mayor Freddy Puza and Culver City Police Chief Jason Sims both spoke to address the holiday, and the tragic anti-semitic violence in the international news.
Recalling the story of the Maccabees, the festival of lights has been a tradition for centuries, and the crowd was glad to gather and commemorate the occasion. The aroma of fresh, hot latkes filled the festivities, and conversation and laughter kept the evening humming.
After the event, Mayor Puza noted “It was an honor to join the Culver City Chabad for the first night of Chanukah. the menorah lighting is a reminder that even in challenging times, light endures, and that coming together as a community is how we carry hope forward.”
The event was also attended by Council member Dan O’Brien, Vice Mayor Bubba Fish, Council member Albert Vera, Jr., and School Board members Andrew Lachman and Lindsey Carlson.
Judith Martin-Straw
