Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco Celebrate First Hanukkah as Engaged Couple in NYC
Jewish celebrities’ Hanukkah celebrations are shining bright this year.
Alan Bersten, Emma Slater, Nev Schulman and more shared how they’re spending the holiday, which began the evening of Dec. 14 and lasts for eight nights.
The Dancing With the Stars pro shared a photo of himself and Emma—along with dog Jeff—lighting the menorah on the first night.
Earlier this month, he even gave fans a taste of his own Jewish heritage by choreographing a special Hanukkah dance for the show’s holiday special on Dec. 2. The routine featured dance moves symbolizing Hanukkah staples like the menorah and dreidels, as well as moves from the traditional Jewish Horah celebratory dance, set to “Miracle” by Matisyahu.
“Everyone celebrates holidays in a different way. Growing up Jewish, you don’t really see a lot of Hanukkah representation. So tonight, we’re doing a special performance to celebrate Hanukkah,” Alan shared in a behind-the-scenes clip during the episode. “We have a move that resembles a spinning top, it’s gonna be really effective if we can nail it. Hopefully a Jewish kid’s watching this and they feel seen and they feel proud.”
Nev also had a message for those celebrating Hanukkah around the globe as he shared a sweet photo posting in front of the menorah along with wife Laura Perlongo and their children Cleo, 9, Beau, 6, and Cy, 4.
“In the glow of the menorah, we’re reminded that love grows when we stand together,” the Catfish host wrote on Instagram Dec. 15. “For our family—and for all families.”
Alan Bersten/Instagram
And someone who was feeling especially festive this holiday season? Nobody Wants This creator Erin Foster, who posted a video to her Instagram Story Dec. 15 of her and husband Simon Tikhman‘s Hanukkah celebrations, which included a table full of latkes, challah, a lit menorah and children smiling and clapping together.
And for Selena Gomez, this Hanukkah will mark her first as a married woman. Last year, then-fiancé Benny Blanco brought her into the fold, celebrating the Festival of Lights with a star-studded party on the first night, which fell on Christmas Day.
For a look at more Hanukkah and holiday celebrations this year, keep reading.
Selena Gomez
The Disney Channel alum shared a video of herself decorating the tree with husband Benny Blanco, writing, “our first Christmas as a married couple.”
Mayim Bialik/Instagram
Mayim Bialik
The Big Bang Theory alum shared that she and her family chose to go big on the first night of Hanukkah with a slew of menorahs, writing in the caption, “We lit them all.”
Alan Bersten/Instagram
Alan Bersten & Emma Slater
The Dancing With the Stars pros shared a glimpse into their home on the first night of Hanukkah, while also sharing a tribute to those who died during a shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney on Dec. 14, writing, “My heart is heavy today due to the senseless tragedy that occurred today in Sydney.”
Nev Schulman/Instagram
Nev Schulman
The Catfish host and his family, including wife Laura Perlongo and kids Cleo, Beau and Cy, posed with their menorah on the second night of Hanukkah on Dec. 15, adding in the caption, “In the glow of the menorah, we’re reminded that love grows when we stand together. For our family—and for all families.”
Doug Emhoff/Instagram
Doug Emhoff & Kamala Harris
The former Second Gentleman and former Vice President celebrated the first night of Hanukkah, reflecting on how the candles are “a reminder of resilience, hope, and the power of bringing light into the darkness.”
Erin Foster/Instagram
Erin Foster & Simon Tikhman
The Nobody Wants This creator gave fans a peek into her family’s Hanukkah celebration alongside her husband.
Debra Messing/Instagram
Debra Messing
The Will & Grace alum penned a heartfelt message on the first night of Hanukkah, sharing a photo of her menorah and writing, “May the memory of all those murdered in Bondi Beach Australia at a Hanukkah family celebration, and at Brown University—be a blessing.”
“The light will always cut through the darkness,” she added. “Be the light.”
Vanessa Carlton/Instagram
Vanessa Carlton
The “A Thousand Miles” singer kept it simple for the first night of Hanukkah Dec. 14, posting a photo of her lit menorah with the light reflecting in a mirror.
Jessica Simpson
The singer’s children Maxwell “Maxi” Drew, Ace Knute and Birdie Mae kicked off the holidays with a rare family photo Dec. 4.
“Christmas time is here!” Jessica wrote on Instagram. “What the month of December brings to my kiddos has always been about the genuine feelings of love, excitement, hope, happiness, grace and pure JOY! Wishin’ you and yours all the many blessings this month has to offer y’all’s hearts.”
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