In Historic First, 9-Foot Chanukah Menorah to Illuminate Tigard

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Mayor Jason Snider to join newly-established Chabad Jewish Center in lighting Tigard’s first public Menorah

For the first time in Tigard, a 9-foot tall menorah will grace Liberty Park and be lit in observance of this year’s festival of Chanukah. The event, sponsored by Tigard Chabad Jewish Center, will begin at 5:00 PM on Monday, Dec 23rd – the second of the holiday’s eight nights – and will feature holiday remarks by Rabbi Menachem Orenstein, Director of Tigard Chabad Jewish Center, together with Mayor Jason Snider. Following the lighting, the community is invited to join for holiday music, refreshments, dreidels, and gifts for all.

“The purpose of this event is to bring the entire Tigard Community together for Chanukah,” according to Rabbi Orenstein.

“The menorah serves as a symbol of Tigard’s dedication to inclusivity and preserving the right of all its citizens to worship freely, openly, and with pride. This is true especially in America, a nation that was founded on protecting the right of every person to practice his or her religion – free from restraint or persecution. While the menorah tradition is Jewish, its message is very much universal.”

This worldwide campaign of lighting public Menorahs was first initiated by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, in 1973 with the mission of helping children and adults of all walks of life discover this holiday message of freedom. The Tigard menorah will now join the thousands of large public menorahs sponsored by Chabad in more than 100 countries around the world. The list includes the White House, the Eiffel Tower, and Director Park in Portland.

In addition to serving individuals and families looking for a nonjudgmental and inclusive Jewish experience, the Tigard Chabad Jewish Center aims to establish Jewish cultural awareness in the community at large. It opened its doors seven months ago as Tigard’s first and only Jewish center.

“Chanukah is the message of light,” added Chaya Orenstein, Co-Director of Chabad. “Light is always victorious over darkness. Even a little bit of light dispels a lot of darkness. Another act of goodness and kindness – an act of light – can make all the difference.”

For more information about Hanukkah and a local schedule of events, or to learn more about Jewish life in Tigard, visit www.jewishtigard.com/chanukah.

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