FāVS Religion News Roundup: Dec. 27
News Story by FāVS Staff
Menorah Lighting & Chanukah Celebration this weekend
Chabad of Spokane’s annual Grand Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Celebration will take place Dec. 29. Drivers will first meet in the Ferris High School (E. 37th and Ray) parking lot at 4 p.m. to get ready for the Car Parade downtown. At 4:30 p.m. the Menorah Parade will begin with everyone heading to Riverfront Park’s Rotary Fountain for the 5 p.m. public Menorah Lighting. There, local dignitaries will be honored with a gelt drop. Then, folks will head to the Pavillion to celebrate with a Chanukah party featuring a concert by Sholomo Gleyzer, along with latkes, donuts, arts and crafts, a Chanukah store and a light dinner. The Chabad asks those attending to RSVP online. They suggest a $20 donation to attend the party.
Buddhist New Year’s Eve gathering and Joya-E service
Join the Spokane Buddhist Temple on Dec 31st from 4–7:15 pm for a New Year’s Eve gathering. Enjoy a Buddhist service, traditional Japanese food, and unique items for sale (dolls, prints, dishes, etc.). Special food items include plain mochi, mochi desserts, and inari sushi (all $8). The evening culminates with the Joya-E “Bell of the Last Night” Service at 6:30 pm, where attendees ring the Kansho Bell 108 times to symbolically leave behind negative passions and welcome the new year. Reservations for mochi required.
First Christmas celebrated at Spokane homeless shelter
Jewels Helping Hands’ nonprofit shelter made Christmas for those facing homelessness special this year. The facility, open since February, celebrated its first Christmas with decorations, gifts and a festive dinner. The Spokesman-Review reported guests, including Ashlee Feldman enjoyed a sense of family and community. Supervisor Anneke Calhoun, a former homeless person, shared that the shelter’s supportive environment helped her rebuild her life. She emphasized that homelessness can happen to anyone and the holiday experience is vital for all.
Let’s Build a Community organizes rally advocating reproductive rights & bodily autonomy
A coalition of women’s and LGBTQ+ rights groups will hold a rally Jan. 18 at 11 a.m. in Spokane, coinciding with the People’s March in Washington, D.C. The event, organized by Let’s Build a Community (LBAC), will take place at the Big Red Wagon at 416 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
The rally aims to advocate for bodily autonomy, equal access to health care and reproductive rights. LBAC announced speakers from diverse backgrounds will participate.
Palouse homeless shelter looking for new location
Family Promise of the Palouse is seeking a new location for its daytime homeless shelter in Moscow, Idaho, after Gritman Medical Center announced plans to close the Jeff and Becky Martin Wellness Center where the shelter operates. The 1957 building, owned by Gritman since 2007, faces significant infrastructure and maintenance issues. The hospital will close the building’s pool facility in January, which serves 85 people for wellness classes and exercise.
The shelter, established in 2013, currently serves 11 people and helps an average of 15 families annually, providing bathing facilities, meal preparation areas, storage, laundry services and staff assistance for housing, employment and child care searches. Family Promise Director Autumn Shafer is asking for public help to locate available buildings and seeking financial donations to offset anticipated higher rent costs. The organization plans to continue operations at the current location until finding a new space in spring.
PNW unaccompanied migrant minors may face new challenges under Trump administration
Trump’s immigration policies may add to challenges unaccompanied migrant minors already endure in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). Between January 2015 and May 2023, over 4,000 unaccompanied migrant children moved to the PNW, reported InvestigateWest. They face challenges navigating the U.S. immigration system without legal representation in the same region. Many lack access to attorneys, especially in rural areas, leading to a higher risk of deportation.
“A big concern for unrepresented individuals is making sure that they have their due process rights respected and understand the rights they have,” said Samuel Smith, an immigration lawyer and director of immigrant legal aid services at Manzanita House, a Spokane-based nonprofit that supports immigrants and refugees.
Advocates are concerned about the incoming Trump administration’s potential policies, including accelerated deportations, which could further harm migrant children. The shortage of immigration attorneys in the region affects all immigrants, not just those who can’t pay for legal services. With rising fears of harsh immigration policies, many children and families are considering “self-deportation” to avoid the impact of stricter laws.
Some summaries created with help of AI. Staff still carefully edited material for content quality and publication standards.
