Community Hanukkah and President Grant's comments about Anti-Semitism

In December 2023 I went to a couple of Hanukkah community celebrations put on by the local Chabad organizations.  For those of you who don't know what Chabad is, it's a branch of Orthodox Hasidic Judaism.   As someone not raised in that faith, I will say that they have interesting articles to read on their website!  https://www.chabad.org 

There was a woman, who gave one of the speeches at this Hanukkah gathering.  She quoted former LDS President Heber J. Grant (1856-1945) (He served as president from 1918 until his death).  In part of his talk in Spring General Conference (April 1921) he spoke about the Jewish people.  

He said, "Some of you may be familiar with the agitation that is going on at the present time, in the publications, against Jewish people.  There should be no ill-will, and I am sure there is none, in the heart of any true Latter-day Saint, toward the Jewish people.  By the authority of the Holy Priesthood of God, that has again been restored to the earth, and by the ministration, under the direction of the Prophet of God, Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ have been to the Holy Land and have dedicated that country for the return of the Jews;  and we believe that in the due time of the Lord they shall be in the favor of God again.  And let no Latter-day Saint be guilty of taking any part in any crusade against these people.  I believe in no other part of the world is there as good a feeling in the hearts of mankind towards the Jewish people as among the Latter-day Saints."  From Page 124 of the LDS Church General Conference record, 91st Annual General Conference, April 1921.  

First Night of Hanukkah, 2023, in the Utah State Capitol Building

There were several speakers, one of whom was from the Holocaust era.  Another lady played beautiful music on a grand piano.  After the meeting ended, there was opportunity to meet and talk with people, eat the Jewish desserts, or take a picture by the Menorah (Chanukiah).  My guest and I met one lady from Israel who was here on military assignment, a really nice man who spoke to me like family, and some of the event organizers.  I hope to go again next year.

On the 6th night of Hanukkah, I went to another location to a city within an hour away, but unfortunately the traffic was so bad, and the weather wasn't the best, so I got there right about when it ended; it was a shorter ceremony.  However, not to waste the opportunity, I still went in and took pictures and spoke to a few people.

The Outdoor Ambience

6th Night of Hanukkah with the Servant Candle in the Middle.  

Lights under the Light.  Or is that the All-Seeing Eye of the Capitol?  Lol.

A Star of David in the marble floor.  Not just for Hanukkah, but for as long as the life of the floor. This is a public building but the builders had lofty ideals of the unification of the Tribes of Israel.

Beautiful Architecture