On Thursday, Dec. 10, the first night of Hanukkah, about two dozen people bundled up and gathered outside of Har Shalom in Missoula to light the first candle on an outdoor Hanukkiah.
The event felt like a big deal and absolutely normal at the same time, said Rabbi Laurie Franklin of Har Shalom.
âItâs the return of a familiar pattern and itâs also completely different,â Franklin said. âThereâs a sense of wanting to connect with the people who came but we arenât hugging.â
Holidays have always been a time to gather, eat, drink and be merry. But as with many events throughout 2020, celebrations look different this year. Many long-held Missoula traditions have been modified to prevent the spread of COVID-19.