Robert Smith & his daughter, Rev. Sharpton and Rabbi Shmuley light the menorah for the first night of Hanukkah, followed by Rev. Tillard's explanation about Kwanzaa which begins on Monday, December 26 Credit: Contributed

To take an active stand against the increasing instances of racism and anti-Semitism in our country, Mayor Eric Adams, the Rev. Al Sharpton, founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners and the Chairman of Carnegie Hall Robert F. Smith, founder and CEO of the World Values Network Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, and Elisha Wiesel came together to host 15 Days of Light, celebrating Hanukkah and Kwanzaa in a unifying holiday ceremony last Sunday at Carnegie Hall.

Rabbi Shmuley, Robert Smith, Mayor Eric Adams, Elisha Wiesel and Clive Gillinson (Contributed photo)

At the event, speakers called for Americans to join them in a coast-to-coast display of unity to dispel the darkness of racism and anti-Semitism for the 15 nights of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. 

They encouraged individuals across the country to post photos of their own African American and Jewish friends, neighbors and colleagues coming together to #lightthecandles on their social media.