Public menorah lighting will celebrate Jewish identity in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS — The crowd at Cedar Rapids’ public menorah lighting is expected to be larger-than-usual Tuesday evening.

Organizers of the lighting said Cedar Rapids is seeing a “surge in families’ public displays of the holidays and Jewish identity” following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas that killed 1,200 people and took 240 prisoners.

“In the past, prior to Oct. 7, many Jews’ response to frightening development of antisemitism may have been to hide their Jewishness,” a news release about the event states. “The post-Oct. 7 Jewish communal response has bucked all precedents. Jews are choosing instead to celebrate their identity this Hanukkah with more confidence and resolve.”

The menorah lighting will be held outdoors, in front of Ginsberg Jewelers, 4647 First Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, today at 6 p.m. It is organized by Chabad N.E. Iowa, which offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for families and individuals.

In addition to lighting the candles of a 10-foot menorah, the event will feature a juggling show, music, dancing Rabbis, and a selection of Hanukkah foods such as latkes and dounats. It is free to attend.

Hanukkah — the “Festival of Lights” — began Dec. 7 and ends Dec. 15.