First Night of Chanukah at Director Park

Join us as we celebrate the First Night of Chanukah with music, Chanukkah foods, children’s crafts and a Menorah Lighting with dignitaries.

This is the 34th year that Chabad of Oregon is lighting Portland’s Public Menorah — Lightings continue through Dec. 19: 5:30 pm all nights except Friday, Dec. 15 at 3 pm before Shabbat, and Saturday, Dec. 16 at 6:30 after Shabbat.

Chabad of Oregon and Raphael House of Portland​ will come together  to celebrate the first night of Chanukah on December ​12, 201​7​ at Director Park​.

​This year, in addition to the traditional lighting of the twelve foot “Portland Menorah” the event will feature a Menorah, standing five feet tall, constructed entirely of ice,  The unfinished ice blocks will arrive at Director Park ​Tuesday afternoon, at which time skilled ice sculptors will carve a menorah with chainsaws and carving tools. By nightfall, the Menorah will be complete just in time for a candle lighting ceremony that will give attendees the opportunity to learn about and participate in the ancient Jewish rituals of Chanukah. The kindling of the Menorah symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness.

​​“The message of Chanukah is that a little light could shed much darkness​​, and that light can triumph even in the coldest and darkest places. The imagery of the fire on ice truly encapsulates this message”​​  says Rabbi Motti Wilhelm of​ ​the​​ Chabad ​​Center for Jewish Life.​

This year’s event hopes to specifically bring light to women, men, and children whose lives have been darkened by domestic violence by encouraging participants to bring full size bottles of shampoo or conditioner or a Fred Meyer gift card for survivors at Raphael House of Portland, a multi-faceted domestic violence agency dedicated to ending intimate partner violence for good.

“Raphael House of Portland is honored to be the beneficiary of this wonderful event! As an agency dedicated to helping survivors of domestic violence find safety, hope, and healing, we couldn’t imagine a more fitting partnership for this special celebration of light and love. Thank you for supporting our families as they build bright futures that are free from abuse.” says Amanda Ives of Raphael House of Portland.​​

This year events are sponsored by Dignity Memorial & Everything Jewish.