Lamorinda Grand Menorah Lighting

Chabad of Lamorinda will light a public Hanukkah menorah at the Lafayette plaza park, followed by a community-wide celebration highlighting unity and peace on Tuesday evening, Dec. 12, the first night of the eight-day holiday.

Following the menorah-lighting ceremony, will dance, sing and eat the night away enjoying traditional Hanukkah foods such as latkes, jelly donuts and chocolate gelt.

“I want my children to grow up with pride in their Jewish heritage, and a feeling of equality and self-confidence as Americans,” said Blaine Bloomfield, who is looking forward to attending the public menorah-lighting. “Chabad-Lubavitch’s Hanukkah menorahs are among the most important developments ever to help my children’s education and awareness. I wish they had one where I grew up.

”This year brings added significance as the world marks 50 years since the Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson,—initiated the Mitzvah Campaigns, a historic undertaking that brought Jewish observance and celebration to the streets, laying the groundwork for public menorahs and the worldwide Hanukkah campaign.

“The message of Hanukkah is the message of light,” adds Rabbi Israel Labkowski Chabad's regional director. “The nature of light is that it is always victorious over darkness. A small amount of light dispels a lot of darkness. Another act of goodness and kindness, another act of light, can make all the difference.”

Today, the unprecedented public display of Hanukkah has become a staple of Jewish cultural and religious life, forever altering the American practice and awareness of the festival. LaMorinda's menorah is one of more than 15,000 large public menorahs sponsored by Chabad in more than 100 countries and territories around the world, including in front of landmarks such as the White House, the Eiffel Tower, Trafalgar Square, the Brandenburg Gate and the Kremlin, helping children and adults of all backgrounds discover and enjoy the holiday message.

For more information about Hanukkah and a local schedule of events visit Chabad's facebook page @chabadoflamorinda or go to www.Chabadoflamorinda.com