JANUARY 16 • 2020 | 27

While two months apart, 
Diwali and Chanukah are 
both the Festival of Lights for 
their respective communities 
— Hindu and Jewish. Late 
last year, the Metropolitan 
Detroit Hindu and Jewish 
communities gathered to 
mark the holidays at the 
“Chanukah-Diwali Fireside 
Chat” held at Congregation 
Shir Tkvah in Troy.

Hosted by the Jewish 
Community Relations 
Council/AJC and Hindu 
American Foundation 
(HAF), the discussion fea-
tured remarks from State 
Sen. Jeremy Moss and State 
Rep. Padma Kuppa, who 
addressed how their respec-
tive Jewish and Hindu identi-
ties have shaped their careers 
and lives. Fred Stella of the 
HAF served as moderator.

Congregation Shir Tikvah Rabbi Aura Ahuvia, Fred Stella of the Hindu American 
Foundation, Sen. Jeremy Moss, Rep. Padma Kuppa and JCRC/AJC Executive 
Director Rabbi Asher Lopatin

COURTESY OF JCRC/AJC

Symbols of the Hindu and Jewish Festivals of Light

Fred Stella moderates the discussion between Moss and Kuppa

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