Sundown on Sunday, Dec. 18 will commence the Hanukkah celebration for the Jewish community living in the Portland area.
There will be lots of spinning dreidels and sufganiyot to eat, and although many of these festivities will take place in people’s homes, there are also several opportunities to gather and celebrate together.
Chabad of Oregon will host a public nightly menorah lighting in Pioneer Courthouse Square at 5:30 p.m. from Sunday, Dec. 18 to Monday, Dec. 26. Join an hour early on the first night (at 4:30 p.m.) to experience live music, traditional foods, and appearances from local dignitaries.
Vancouver will also host a free event , featuring a grand menorah lighting, hot chocolate and donuts, an LED circus act, and more at Esther Short Park. In Gresham , you can also help construct a “canorah,” or a giant menorah made of canned food, which will be donated to local food pantries.