Downtown Portland Hannukah celebration 'to bring the light in the dark'

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — December 25 marks not only Christmas this year but the first day of Hannukah, a rare overlap.

To celebrate, a giant Menorah was lit in Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square downtown, symbolizing hope, pride and illuminating the darkness.  

People from Portland's Jewish community came out in droves for the lighting.

Attendees who spoke to KOIN 6 News said they came to honor traditions.

"Hannukuh! It's the first night! We've got to celebrate!" said Linda Cohen.

Rabbi Motti Wilhelm of Chabad SW Portland said the winter cold and wetness couldn't stop the celebrations.

"In Portland, if we let the rain stop us we'd never do anything," Wilhelm said.

The Chabad of Oregon hosted the lighting of the first of eight candles of the Menorah.

"We're going to bring the light in the dark," Wilhelm said. "In recent years and with the times that we are in right now, it makes this message become even more important."

Wilhelm brought a special guest, Judith Raanan.

Raanan was one of the hostages taken by Hamas on the October 7th attacks last year in Israel. She said she often thinks about that day.

"When you light one candle, you take away a lot of darkness," Raanan said.

For Cohen, the celebrations represent Portland's small but mighty Jewish community.

"We have a lot of synagogues in town, and there's something there for everyone...we're not a huge community, so it's important to recognize people and it feels good to celebrate," Cohen said.

This year, Hannukah lasts until January 2, 2025.