The 20th Annual Chanukah Festival in Riverside celebrated the holiday with light, music and tradition.
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Rabbi Shamuel Fuss addresses the audience Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, during the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival at the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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Guest of honor, Dr. Jacob Eisenbach, is seen Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, during the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival at the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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A performer shows off with fire Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, during the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival at the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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Justin and Jude Hoffman, 4 months, meet guest of honor Dr. Jacob Eisenbach, left, on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, after the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival at the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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From left, Hillel Schrier, Dr. Jacob Eisenbach and Rabbi Fuss Sr. are seen Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, at the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival at the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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Members of the Chabad Orthodox Jewish Community dance Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, during the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival at the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in Riverside. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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A performer is seen Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, during the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival at the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson lights the grand menorah Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, during the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival at the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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Juan Carlos and Emette Garcia, 3, attend the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival at the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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Members of the Chabad Orthodox Jewish Community dance Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, during the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival at the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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A performer is seen Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, during the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival at the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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Guest of honor Dr. Jacob Eisenbach, a 101-year-old Holocaust survivor, speaks Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, during the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival at the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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Moreno Valley residents Maria Luisa Saldana and Mauricio Ramirez sing Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, during the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival at the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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Rabbi Shamuel Fuss speaks Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, during the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival at the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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Leibel Hecht sings Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, at the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival at the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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Solara and Rome Noriega, 18 months, watch a fire performer during the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival at the Riverside County Historic Courthouse on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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Michael Geller plays with his companion dog Vance during the 20th annual Chanukah Festival at the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in Riverside on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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A fire performer does his act Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, during the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival at the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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Phyllis and David Stolls attend the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival at the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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A performer represents the world’s tallest dreidel Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, during the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival at the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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Members of the Chabad Jewish Community Center handle free traditional food during their 20th Annual Chanukah Festival outside the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in Riverside on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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Yolanda Smith colors a menorah at the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival by the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in Riverside on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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Faiga Fuss, 6, colors during the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival by the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in Riverside on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
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The Chabad Jewish Community Center hosts its 20th Annual Chanukah Festival by the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
Rabbi Shamuel Fuss addresses the audience Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, during the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival at the Riverside County Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)
The festival, held in front of the Riverside Historic Courthouse Monday night, Dec. 30, featured the lighting of a massive menorah, which organizers said is the largest in the Inland Empire. There were also performers using fire, dancing and speeches.
Those who attended the free event hosted by the Chabad Jewish Community Center of Riverside also enjoyed traditional Jewish foods.
The festival aims to share Hanukkah’s universal message by embracing cultural diversity and promoting understanding, the organization said.
