32-Foot Menorah To Be Lit In Baltimore

BALTIMORE, MD — The eight-day celebration of Chanukah begins in Baltimore on Sunday, Dec. 2. To recognize the start of the event, the city of Baltimore and the Chabad-Lubavitch Centers of Greater Baltimore co-sponsor Baltimore Chanukah Fest, including the annual menorah lighting in McKeldin Square.

The 32-foot-tall menorah, which has "BALTIMORE" spelled out on its nine branches, will be lit at the Dec. 2 festivities on East Pratt Street.

The Esther Ann Menorah, as it has been named, is tied for the world's largest menorah, according to organizers.

“Baltimore has a long and storied Jewish history,” Rabbi Shmuel Kaplan, director of Lubavitch of Maryland, said in a statement. “We’re excited to showcase the finest in Baltimore’s Jewish heritage and culture.”

In addition to the menorah lighting, there will be an array of family friendly activities at the Baltimore Chanukah Fest: dreidel cookie decorating, menorah velvet art, Chanukah-themed face paint, chocolate “gelt” activities and photos with Judah Maccabee. Baltimore-based Jewish music groups Gobbie Cohn Music and the Zemer Orchestra are also set to perform.

City and state officials, including Mayor Catherine E. Pugh and City-wide Jewish Liaison for City Council President’s office Betsy Gardner, will be in attendance. Local Jewish organizations will also be represented including the Baltimore Jewish Council Executive Director Howard Libit.

Chanukah celebrates the Jews defeating Syrian-Greek oppressors who had tried forcing them to abandon their religion and adopt Greek culture. The story has it that, led by Judah Maccabee, they recaptured the holy temple in Jerusalem. Arriving there, they found only enough olive oil to light candles for one night. It lasted for eight nights. The holiday is called the "Festival of Lights" to recognize the miracle of the oil lasting eight nights.

"The message of Chanukah is the message of light,” Kaplan said in a statement. “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.”

The Baltimore Chanukah Festival will be on Sunday, Dec. 2, at McKeldin Square, 100 E Pratt St.

Here is the schedule:

• 2:30 p.m.: Activities open
• 3:30 p.m.: Concert
• 4:15 p.m.: Menorah lighting ceremony

Patch editor Colin Miner contributed to this article.

RELATED: What Is Hanukkah? A Guide For Non-Jews

Photo Credit: Chabad of Downtown.