San Antonio-area Roman Catholic and Jewish communities - Interfaith Hanukkah celebration

On Thursday, December 10, at 12:00 noon, members of the San Antonio-area Roman Catholic and Jewish communities will participate in a livestreamed interfaith Hanukkah celebration.

This marks the 19th year that San Antonio-area Catholics and Jews have jointly celebrated Hanukkah. The Jewish Federation of San Antonio and San Fernando Cathedral are the co-sponsors.

Jared Diamond, a member of Congregation Agudas Achim, who survived a lethal form of COVID-19, and his Roman Catholic physician, Dr. Luis Contreras, will be honored this year.

In the past, this has been an in-person program and luncheon with over 300 members of the Roman Catholic and Jewish communities in attendance. This year, because of COVID-19, only those with roles on the program will be in person in San Fernando Cathedral Hall. All others will be able to take part virtually.

Featured speaker will be Dr. Renata Furst, Associate Professor of Scripture and Spirituality at Oblate School of Theology. She also serves as Oblate’s Associate Dean for Hispanic Engagement.

The Most Rev. Gustavo García-Siller,  M.Sp.S , Archbishop of San Antonio, will be the presiding host for this interfaith observance this year. The Very Rev. Victor Valdez, Rector of San Fernando Cathedral, and Rabbi Samuel M. Stahl, Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Beth-El, will lead the proceedings.

Free registration for this year’s livestreamed event can be found at https://sfcathedral.org/hanukkah. Donations are welcome.