As Salem’s roads and sidewalks crinkled with freshly deposited ice Thursday evening, two dozen people gathered to bring a little light to downtown.
Light Up Salem, an annual event put on by the Chabad Center for Jewish Life to light Salem’s Grand Menorah, carried on. Those who made the trip warmed themselves by dancing to Hanukkah music, eating latkes and watching a fire dancer perform.
The event at the corner of Southeast Commercial and Trade streets is in its eighth year, Rabbi Avrohom Perlstein told Salem Reporter after the ceremony. Over 25 people made it there, despite the weather.
“The fact that there’s people here, period, is amazing,” Perlstein said. “We do this much more for the idea, and the effect it has on the larger city, that the menorah is able to stand. The bottom line is that the menorah is a symbol of universal freedom.”
This year, Hanukkah is Sunday, Dec. 18 through Monday Dec. 26. Traditionally, the Jewish holiday celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 164 B.C. after rising up against Greek occupation.
The central candle, or shamash, is used to light one additional candle on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. Thursday night was the fifth night of the holiday, and the first of the year where more candles were lit than remained unlit.
During his speech at the event, Perlstein referenced rising antisemitism nationwide. He said the best way to dispel darkness is for each person to shine a light from within.
Mayor Chris Hoy lit the Grand Menorah from a fire truck, and below that, city councilors Linda Nishioka and Micki Varney held candles alongside Perlstein’s children to represent a human menorah.
“Besides from the miracle of the light, it was a victory over oppression where people weren’t able to express their true selves. Being able to just have members from the city to embrace that idea, and people from all over to come do this, it’s been absolutely amazing,” he said.
Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-704-0355.
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Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian, where she covered labor issues, health care and social services. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.
