More than half a decade after Chabad of the West Side began hosting Judaic programming out of the Westlake Recreation Center and other rented spaces around the area, the nonprofit recently opened up its first permanent location — the Jewish Discovery Center — in Lakewood. The 900-square-foot Jewish Discovery Center is a community space where local Jews of any age or stage can explore their heritage, gain knowledge, celebrate the holidays or just hang out.

Chabad Lubavitch of the Quad Cities reached its $400,000 funding goal late in the afternoon on Friday, Dec. 17, just before Shabbat, the time of rest observed by those practicing Judaism. Rabbi Shneur Cadaner and his wife, Chana Cadaner, shut down their phones and computers when Shabbat began, but messages of congratulations and excitement were already pouring in.

Now that Chabad has covered most of the world’s Jewish-accessible geographical locations, its aim is to tackle the realm of virtual reality as its latest frontier.

The number of Chabad centers on college campuses has skyrocketed since 2000, attracting students from a range of Jewish backgrounds and providing another avenue for Jewish student life.

At the end of the first quarter as the spotlight glared at the stage, the Grand Menorah Lighting at Amyway Center captured the thousands of participants as Jewish musical artist Jimmy Levy from American Idol led with singing the Brochos.

By the fifth night Mendelsohn had already driven about 1,000 miles across the state, from Jackson to Cheyenne and back again, plus a quick stop in Denver to pick up kosher catering.

Lighting the menorah at Mount Rushmore is a way for the South Dakota Jewish community to celebrate religious freedoms that come with living the United States.

“It’s really an expression of Jewish pride, that we’re able to celebrate and worship freely and openly in the public, and it’s a beautiful place to do it right here at Mount Rushmore,” Rabbi Mendel Alperowitz adds.

Chabad of Montclair hosted a Hanukkah Fest and Grand Menorah Lighting at the Wellmont Arts Plaza Monday night, bringing the community together to celebrate the holiday.

A crowd gathers at a Menorah Lighting to eat doughnuts and drink hot cocoa to celebrate the first night of Chanukah on Sunday, Nov. 28 in Phoenix.

The Chabad Center for Jewish Life hosted a public ceremony Sunday, the first night of Hanukkah, to light a 9-foot tall menorah in front of the Lawrence Public Library.  The annual event was followed by a communitywide celebration that included fire performers and holiday refreshments.