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Hindu Americans participate in Unite for Light interfaith event
Chicago Mayor Johnson said the city would continue to oppose antisemitism, reflecting the interfaith spirit of the event.
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Avatans Kumar - Fri, 19, Dec 2025
- 02:26 EST
- 14
Dr. Bharat Barai, representing the Chicago-area Hindu community during the Hanukkah candle lighting, expressed solidarity with the Jewish community. / Avatans Kumar
Several Hindu American leaders participated in the Unite for Light Interfaith Party hosted by the Consulate General of Israel in Chicago, an event that brought together community leaders, elected officials and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Five candles, lit to mark the fifth day of Hanukkah, set the tone for the gathering.
Welcoming guests, Israeli Consul General Elad Strohmayer said Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, is an eight-day celebration symbolizing resilience, hope and the triumph of light over darkness.
He recalled the events of 164 BCE, when the Maccabees rededicated the desecrated Temple in Jerusalem and found only enough pure oil to burn for one day, yet it lasted eight. The small cruse of oil, he said, became a symbol of divine presence and possibility in moments of despair.
Beyond the historical account, Strohmayer said Hanukkah represents courage in the face of oppression, refusal to assimilate when core values are at stake, and the quiet persistence of identity and faith.
Each night, as another candle is lit, the light grows brighter, he said, reminding people that even a single flame can push back darkness and that small acts of dedication, kindness and integrity can have far-reaching impact.
He added that during a season of louder celebrations, Hanukkah’s steady glow encourages people to preserve their identity, share their light and believe that even the smallest spark can endure and inspire.
Strohmayer’s remarks carried particular resonance this year amid rising antisemitism in the United States and globally, as well as following the Bondi Beach terror attack in Australia. Chicago has also seen protests linked to Israel’s response in Gaza following the Oct. 7 terrorist attack in Israel that killed more than 1,000 people and resulted in injuries and hostages.
Mayor Johnson said the city would continue to oppose antisemitism, reflecting the interfaith spirit of the event.
Dr. Bharat Barai, representing the Chicago-area Hindu community during the Hanukkah candle lighting, expressed solidarity with the Jewish community. Barai, a practicing oncologist, is a recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman.
Jews have lived in India for more than 2,000 years, and India is often cited as a country where Jewish communities have not faced persecution. The publication Avotaynu has noted that Bene Israel “flourished for 2,400 years in a tolerant land [India] that has never known anti-Semitism,” highlighting peaceful coexistence within India’s pluralistic society.
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