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"I extend best wishes to all residents of the Virgin Islands celebrating Hanukkah or the Festival of Lights," stated Governor John P. deJongh Jr. "For the first time since 1888, the first day of Hanukkah fell on Thanksgiving Day, bringing together the national holiday with a very special spiritual one for those of the Jewish faith. Hanukkah lasts from sundown on November 27 until sundown on December 5 this year, and the eight day celebration signifies an important victory over oppression more than 2,000 years ago. I join with all members of the wider Virgin Islands community in recognizing and respecting this most important religious holiday," he added.
St. Thomas is home to the oldest continuous-use synagogue in the United States, known as the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas. The congregation was founded in 1796 and the synagogue was built in 1833. "Members of the congregation have been some of the most important contributors to our community, through commerce, civic leadership, the arts, and education. At this special time, I offer a ‘Happy Hanukkah’ to the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas and all practitioners of the Jewish faith," Governor de Jongh stated.
Hanukkah and Thanksgiving will not coincide for another 77,798 years, according to some calculations. The American holiday, which falls on the fourth Thursday of November, is a mere 150 years old in comparison to Hanukkah, which originated more than two milleniums ago. During Hanukkah, Jewish families light one candle on the menorah for each night of the celebration. There is a ninth helper candle, which is used to light the others. The ninth candle is necessary because by Jewish law the only purpose of Hanukkah lights is to visually symbolize the miracle of the holiday. The menorah is placed in a prominent position in the household to carry out this commandment.