LYNNWOOD, Wash., November 20, 2023—It is important to highlight and celebrate light and freedom in a world so often plagued with tragedy and hate. Chabad Jewish Center of Snohomish County therefore invites you to celebrate the Festival of Lights with the 12th annual Menorah Lighting and Celebration, celebrating the light and joy of our shared freedoms and the immeasurable value of every human being.
The Lynnwood public Menorah Lighting Celebration will take place at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 10, at the Lynnwood City Hall 19100 44th Ave W, Lynnwood, WA 98036. The event will feature the kindling of the giant nine-foot Menorah, delicious Holiday treats, face painting, personal Menorah kits, and a Hanukkah musical performance by the Seattle based Klez Katz Klezmer band. Remarks will be shared by Rabbi Berel Paltiel of the Chabad Jewish Center of Snohomish County, as well as by local dignitaries including Lynnwood City Mayor Christine Frizzell and County Executive Dave Somers.
“The menorah serves as a symbol of our community’s dedication to preserve and encourage the rights of every human being, including the liberty of all its citizens to worship G‑d freely, openly, and with pride. This is true especially in America, a nation that was founded upon and vigorously protects the right of every person to practice his or her faith free from restraint and persecution,” said Rabbi Paltiel.
The Menorah lighting is part of the worldwide Hanukkah campaign, an initiative launched by the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, in 1973. The campaign highlights and encourages the central theme of the holiday — publicizing the story of the Hanukkah miracle.
“The message of Hanukkah is the message of light,” added Rabbi Paltiel. “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.”
Lynnwood’s menorah is one of more than 15,000 large public menorahs sponsored by Chabad in more than 100 countries around the world, including in front of landmarks such as the White House and the Eiffel Tower, helping children and adults of all walks of life discover and enjoy the holiday message.
