History was made on a December Wednesday night in Lake County with a first-time Vernon Hills holiday motorcade tradition.

Chabad Jewish Center of Vernon Hills brightened up the immediate Vernon Hills community with what Rabbi Shimmy Susskind of Vernon Hills said was Lake County’s first Hanukkah evening lighted motor parade.

It took one hour for the parade on Dec. 17 to complete a route that was confirmed with local police with their support. The parade launched with 28 vehicles and numerous lighted menorahs.

Seen among vehicles staged before the Chabad Jewish Center of Vernon Hills Hanukkah parade on Dec. 17, 2025 in Vernon Hills. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

Many of the heavily decorated cars were Jeeps, with drivers and owners representing regional Jeep clubs including the Lake County Jeep Club of Grayslake. Jeep enthusiasts came from as far as DuPage and Kane counties.

“Very proud,” to participate, said Frank Rolla of Antioch and of the Lake County Jeep Club (LCJC) of Grayslake, who spoke while affixing a menorah to illuminate on the back of the vehicle in the staging parking lot before the parade left the Chabad Jewish Center of Vernon Hills.

Joel Plotsky of Hawthorn Woods belongs to this Vernon Hills congregation and had a Jeep in the parade.

“We’re just proud and we’re spreading love and spreading light,” Plotsky said, adding about making history in Lake County that night, “I think it’s amazing.”

A rearview mirror look at decorated vehicles staged before the Chabad Jewish Center of Vernon Hills Hanukkah parade on Dec. 17, 2025 in Vernon Hills. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

The Chabad Jewish Center of Vernon Hills at 204 US Highway 45 launched on Dec. 1, 2009 and was founded and is co-directed by Rabbi Shimmy and Rochel Susskind.

Chanukah or Hanukkah, depending on choice of spelling, is an annual eight day Jewish tradition called the Festival of Lights and began for 2025 on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 14 with a conclusion of Monday, Dec. 22.

As the parade drove around Vernon Hills and surrounding communities like Indian Creek, one couple was seen waving lighted colorful batons.

Peter and Lilia Buchman of Vernon Hills, members of the Chabad Jewish Center of Vernon Hills, in 35 degree clear weather, stood along a sidewalk as they watched the parade as it began its route.

“It’s very important to show the world that we are united and that we are together and no matter what, we’re going to celebrate our holidays,” Lilia Buchman said. “No one can stop us.”

Peter Buchman said, “Light is always in my heart.”

The Hanukkah parade has just begun its route on Dec. 17, 2025 in Vernon Hills. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

Passengers and drivers also wished spectators like the Buchman couple from open vehicle windows a happy Hanukkah with hand waves while pumped up festive holiday music accompanied the parade cluster.

After the parade, there was the lighting of the menorah inside the center and complimentary refreshments were served.

“In light of recent events, we felt a strong need to increase awareness of Jewish holidays and Jewish life in a visible and positive way,” Rabbi Shimmy Susskind said. “With the rise in antisemitism around the world, we believed it was important not to retreat, but to strengthen our efforts.

“For the first time, Chabad of Vernon Hills organized a Hanukkah menorah parade, with menorahs displayed on top of cars and jeeps, traveling throughout the entire neighborhood,” Rabbi Susskind added.

It is taking about an hour to drive through the Vernon Hills area by the Chabad Jewish Center of Vernon Hills during its Hanukkah parade on Dec. 17, 2025. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

“This initiative was created to bring Jewish pride, awareness, and visibility directly into the community.

“Especially following the recent terrorist attack in Australia, the need for more light, courage, and Jewish visibility feels even more urgent,” Susskind added.

“Hanukkah teaches us to increase light, to spread joy, and to remain resilient in the face of darkness.

“If there is one takeaway from this parade and the broader efforts surrounding it, it is the message of Hanukkah itself, to spread light, joy, happiness, and freedom, openly, proudly, and together,” Rabbi Susskind said.

Rabbi Susskind had hoped for 25 parade vehicles, “and we ended up with more.

“We have the community support for this,” Susskind said. “Everyone’s excited. We exceeded expectations and this is the beginning of many more years growing this activity.

“We plan to expand it,” the rabbi added, also indicating people of all faiths are welcome to join the new annual tradition.

“We encourage participation, we want everyone’s participation,” Rabbi Susskind said.

Andrea Swanson of Wood Dale installs a lighted menorah on the front of the Jeep Wrangler before the Chabad Jewish Center of Vernon Hills Hanukkah parade on Dec. 17, 2025 in Vernon Hills. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

Jeep enthusiast Stephen Narens, a Vernon Hills photographer, belongs to many Jeep clubs, including one in Vernon Hills.

“I am not a very religious person, I believe in God, my temple’s outdoors underneath the sun and on the water and on the trails,” Narens said with a smile.

“Light is light, we can’t live without light,” Narens added. “It’s the Festival of Lights.”

Elliot Cohen of Lincolnshire, retired from the Cook County Sheriff’s Police and a member of Chabad Jewish Center of Vernon Hills, wore bright fluorescent clothing to help direct the staging area in the parking lot for everyone’s safety. The name of Eliot was embroidered on his neon hat.

About making history with this Lake County parade, “This rabbi is a wonderful rabbi,” Cohen said about Rabbi Susskind. “He and his wife work so hard, they are incredible people, they can relate to anybody.

“This is our home away from home.”

Visit https://www.chabadvernonhills.org/.

Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.

 

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/19/vernon-hills-synagogue-hanukkah-parade/