Rabbi Motti Wilhelm can remember the first year the Hanukkah menorah was lit at Pioneer Courthouse Square, beginning an annual tradition as old as the plaza itself.
“I was a little boy in 1984,” Wilhelm said, the year the tradition began. “That was actually the first year that there was a Pioneer Square. Ever since there’s been a square, there’s been a menorah.”
According to Wilhelm, hundreds of people came to watch the first menorah lighting in 1984, which was also the first time that the Jewish community had such a public display of Hanukkah. 41 years after the first event, the menorah lighting has remained an essential practice for Portland’s Jewish community.
That celebration begins this Sunday, Dec. 14, when the first candle of Portland’s Public Menorah will be lit at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Organized by Chabad of Southwest Portland, the evening includes live music, traditional Hanukkah foods, dignitaries and family activities beginning at 4 p.m. with the menorah lighting at 5:30 p.m. While the opening event is free, registration is required to attend.
The menorah will continue to be lit each day through Dec. 21 with varying start times. Find the full schedule here. While annual menorah lighting has been a steady presence over the decades, in recent years it has taken on new meanings.
“It’s become a representation of the freedom of religion,” Wilhelm said, “Of the freedom of expression, of the idea that everybody is encouraged and welcome to observe and to practice their faith.”
The Jewish practice of lighting the menorah dates back to the 2nd century BCE, before the common era, when a small band of Jewish people reclaimed their temple in Jerusalem from Greek rule. Under the leadership of the Maccabees, Jewish rebels defeated the Seleucid army and rededicated the desecrated Second Temple.
As part of the rededication, they witnessed the miracle of a small amount of oil lasting eight days. The menorah is lit over the course of eight days as a reminder of light prevailing over darkness.
“No matter where you are, you can always just light a candle,” Wilhelm said. “Be a candle, be a source of light, because light is stronger than darkness.”
According to Linda Cohen, a previous event organizer, the tradition has also helped elevate visibility for Hanukkah and the Jewish community in Portland
“I know that not everybody celebrates Christmas,” Cohen said. “I think it’s nice when we acknowledge that there are other people celebrating other things.”
The Jewish community, which Wilhelm acknowledged was small but mighty in Portland, has faced rising levels of antisemitism and prejudice recently. While the sentiment has been challenging for the community, organizers expect the menorah lighting to be a symbol of joy and light for the community.
“I think it’s so important for the Jewish community of Portland to have this menorah outside in the public space,” said Mimi Wilhelm, director of Hebrew school at Chabad Southwest Portland. “To light it all together and sing together and share this message of light and hope with the world, especially in the winter months, and especially when the world can feel quite dark.”
In recent years, the menorah lighting has drawn more interfaith partners, families and first-time attendees, according to organizers.
“It’s gotten much larger actually, over the past few years,” said Motti Wilhelm, with attendance reaching up to 1,200 in previous years. “I think that the message of Hanukkah has become not just a Jewish message. It’s become a universal message.”
If you go: 4 p.m. event start, 5:30 menorah lighting; Sunday, Dec. 14; Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 S.W. Sixth Ave.; free to attend with registration at Chanukah1800.com.
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