This year, Chabad Mercer Island will celebrate Chanuka with a public menorah lighting at Mercer Island’s north-end QFC. A 6-foot menorah will be lit during a ceremony on Dec. 10, followed by food, songs and dreidels for all.

The public menorah lighting will take place on the fifth night of Chanuka and is being organized by Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Nissan Kornfeld, director of Chabad Mercer Island. Kornfield said the event is open to anyone.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to get together, have a bite to eat, mingle a bit and celebrate the beautiful message of the holiday,” he said.

Kornfield said two 6-foot menorahs were being stationed, with one located nearby each of the Island’s QFC locations. A lighting took place at the south-end shopping center on Sunday, Dec. 6, in what Kornfield called more of a “low-key” ceremony. Both menorahs will remain throughout the eight days of Chanukah.

Islander Judy Roberts-Cohen said she is looking forward to attending Thursday’s public menorah lighting.

“I want my family to grow up with pride in their Jewish heritage and a feeling of equality and self-confidence as an American,” she said. “Chabad-Lubavitch’s Chanukah Menorahs are arguably one of the most important developments ever to help my family’s education. I wish they had this when I grew up.”

This year’s Chanukah celebrations bring added significance, as Jewish communities worldwide celebrate the year of Hakhel, a once-every-seven-years opportunity to celebrate Jewish unity and learning. Throughout the year, Jewish synagogues and organizations are hosting communal gatherings for men, women and children dedicated to encouraging Jewish observance.

For more information about Chanukah and a local schedule of events, visit ChabadMercerIsland.org/Chanukah or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/119869631713403/.