Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel, co-director of the Chabad Center for Jewish Life, will light candles on a 9-foot-tall menorah at an annual Lawrence Hanukkah celebration.
The 2024 Lawrence Community Menorah Lighting and Hanukkah Event ceremony represents hope and freedom, according to a Chabad Center news release.
This year marks 50 years since the first recorded public menorah lighting in the United States, which took place in 1974 at the Philadelphia Liberty Bell, according to the release.
Tiechtel said celebrating Jewish culture is essential amid an increase in antisemitism.
“We are always looking for new ideas for our annual Chanukah celebration to keep our community engaged and excited for this special Jewish holiday,” Tiechtel said in the release. “The creation of light, counteracting the darkness, pandemic and global challenges, is especially important during this joyous time of the year. The message of Chanukah is the mandate for each of us to do our part to light up our own community and those around us.”
Celebrations will continue following the menorah lighting ceremony, including activities for children, hot beverages and food, holiday music, free gifts and more.
The roughly hourlong event is scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 26 outdoors at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St. It’s free to attend and the community is welcome.
Visit jewishku.com to learn more about the Chabad Center.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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