TROY — State Rep. Padma Kuppa (D-Troy) joined with state Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) for a Hanukkah-Diwali Fireside Chat to explore similarities and differences between the Hindu and Jewish holidays and their respective advocacy efforts. This served as the third such event held since 2015 and is the result of a partnership between the Hindu American Foundation, American Jewish Committee and the Jewish Community Relations Council, and was hosted by Congregation Shir Tikvah in Troy. Both legislators discussed how their Hindu and Jewish identities have impacted them personally and professionally.

“Discussions like these are so important—because we tend to spend too much time focusing on the few ways we are different, instead of the many things we have in common,” said Kuppa. “Fostering understanding  helps us identify how we can work together to overcome challenges, and I’m happy to have those opportunities with my colleagues in the Legislature.”

Diwali is the Hindu Festival of Lights that was celebrated on Oct. 27 this year. Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights, which begins at sundown on Dec. 22 and ends at sundown on Dec. 30.