A star-studded Chanukah
Academy Award-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow joined Israeli actress and activist Noa Tishby to light the menorah for the first night of Chanukah, launching a surprise star-studded celebration of the festival.
Over the next eight nights, various celebrities will join Tishby to light the candles of the menorah, sharing their personal stories and spreading Jewish joy during a time when antisemitism is at an all-time high.
The upcoming guests include supermodels, journalists, comedians, and TV and film stars. While not all of the participants are Jewish, they are united in their commitment to celebrating Jewish culture and standing against antisemitism.
Paltrow and Tishby kicked off the festivities by reflecting on their shared Jewish heritage. Paltrow, who has been open about her connection to Judaism, shared a glimpse into her family’s Chanukah traditions. “We always light the menorah. We always gather together, and after we light the candles, it’s very sweet,” Paltrow said. “We all hug, and we bring in the light. Ever since they were little, my kids sit on the floor, close their eyes, and then I give them their presents.”
The actress also reflected on her Long Island roots, where she grew up celebrating Chanukah, and how her family continues those customs today. Tishby, who grew up celebrating Chanukah in Israel, added her own perspective, and the two bonded over their shared values and traditions.
“We need to show the world that it’s cool to be Jewish,” Tishby said. “Chanukah is the perfect holiday to bring on the light, literally. From lighting candles to eating fried foods to spinning dreidels, these eight nights are all about being together with family and friends—Jewish and non-Jewish alike—laughing, singing, and dancing.”
Tishby emphasized the importance of keeping Jewish traditions alive and proudly sharing them with the world, especially during challenging times. “It’s important that we carry on these traditions and retell the story of Chanukah and Jewish resilience every year,” she said. “And that includes publicly and proudly displaying your menorah—whether that’s in your living room window or on social media.”
As part of the celebration, a new reel featuring a different celebrity will be posted each day until January 1st, encouraging both Jews and non-Jews to participate by lighting their own menorahs and sharing their celebrations on social media with the hashtag #BringOnTheLight.
