Thursday evening, about 900 people gathered in Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland to light a large Hanukkah menorah and eat the traditional latkes, or potato pancakes, to begin the eight-day Jewish holiday.
In this supplied photo, Rabbi Moshe Wilhelm, director of Chabad of Oregon, lights the Hanukkah menorah at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland, Ore., on Dec. 7, 2023.
Courtesy of Melissa Bloom via Chabad of Oregon
Chabad of Oregon organized the event as part of a livestream coordinated with other cities worldwide. Rabbi Motti Wilhelm, director of Chabad SW Portland, said that Hanukkah is particularly poignant this year, two months into the war between Israel and Hamas.
“Particularly now, here we are at this moment, and even in our darkest moments, we can always light a candle of hope and a candle of faith,” Wilhelm said. “And that’s what we’re doing in Hanukkah.”
Hanukkah commemorates the military victory of the Maccabees, a priestly group of Jews who led a rebellion in the second century against Hellenistic ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes.
The holiday is meant to symbolize resilience and faith during a historical period of adversity. Traditional celebrations involve lighting a Hannakiah, a special nine-branch menorah, and eating greasy foods.
About 900 people gathered for the event, organized by Chabad of Oregon, which was part of a livestream celebration with other cities around the world to kick off the eight-day holiday.
Courtesy of Melissa Bloom via Chabad of Oregon
Wilhelm was concerned that the political climate might keep people from a public Jewish celebration. Organizers increased event security among rising antisemitic threats.
Related: This year’s Hanukkah celebrations are tempered by Israel’s war with Hamas
“And we were amazed because we believed — we knew — that this year people were somewhat more afraid to come out, somewhat more concerned,” said Wilhelm. But organizers were surprised at the record turnout.
“A little light dispels a lot of darkness,” he said.
There were also menorah lightings Thursday in other parts of Oregon including Ashland, Grants Pass, Medford, Sandy and Eugene.
On the evening of Sunday, Dec. 10, there are two more grand menorah lightings in the Portland area to celebrate the fourth night of Hanukkah: Tanner Springs Park in Portland and Gresham Arts Plaza.
Related: Treasures destroyed and masterpieces in vaults: War’s toll for art in Israel and Gaza
Rabbi Motti Wilhelm of Chabad SW Portland speaks at the Hanukkah menorah lighting at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland, Dec. 7, 2023, in this supplied photo.
Courtesy of Melissa Bloom via Chabad of Oregon
This year, Hanukkah began on Dec. 7 and continues through Dec. 15.