BOSTON (WWLP) - The first night of Hanukkah is next week but state lawmakers kicked off celebrations Wednesday night. Hanukkah came early to Beacon Hill as Jewish lawmakers and community members came together to light the State House menorah on Wednesday night. The ceremony featured musical performances, speeches from lawmakers and religious leaders, and retellings of the Hanukkah miracle when a one-day supply of oil miraculously created light for eight days and nights. Lawmakers hold Menorah lighting ceremony on Capitol Hill The rabbi who hosted this event talked about the lessons we can learn from the menorah like when a second candle is lit, it does not diminish the first candle's flame. The ceremony had a solemn undertone as speakers touched on violence and death in Israel and Gaza and increasing anti-Jewish sentiment in the United States. Governor Healey spoke at the ceremony about her administration's partnership with Jewish leaders in the wake of rising incidences of antisemitism in the Commonwealth. The governor denounced hatred of all kinds and called for togetherness during the holiday season. Hanukkah begins at sundown on December 25 and runs through sundown on January 2. Local News Headlines F-35A Lighting II fighter jets replacing aging F-15 aircraft at Barnes ANGB in Westfield Is the winter solstice the shortest day of the year? Car collides with tree on Roosevelt Ave. in Springfield Massachusetts serial rapist arrested in West Springfield pled guilty to 30 charges WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.