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Hanukkah in Portland, Oregon

The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah is celebrated annually in the American city of Portland, Oregon.

Events and activities

Among annual events is the lighting of the public menorah at Pioneer Courthouse Square, which has taken place since 1984. Hundreds gathered in 2022 and approximately 900 people attended the lighting ceremony in 2023. Approximately 500 people attended in 2025. The ceremony is hosted by the Chabad Center for Jewish Life. Public menorahs have also been displayed at Director Park and at Jamison Square in the Pearl District. Additionally, the annual ceremony for the lighting of the Pioneer Courthouse Square Christmas tree has acknowledged Hanukkah; for example, the 2017 event included a rendition of "I Have a Little Dreidel".

In 2023, Congregation Neveh Shalom hosted the "Let It Glow Chanukah Festival", which featured cookie decorating, a dance party, games, handicraft, and other entertainment. There was also a "S'mores and Hanukkah Sing-a-long" at Leikam Brewing and a "Hanukkah Night Market" at Eastside Jewish Commons. On the last night of Hanukkah in 2023, Portland saw participation in a protest by shutting down the Burnside Bridge and lighting a 12-foot-tall menorah. The protest called for a ceasefire in Gaza. According to KPTV, the demonstration "was in coordination with Jewish Voice for Peace and other Jewish-led groups forming bridge blockades in several major cities across the United States".

In 2024, approximately 100 people from the local Jewish community celebrated the holiday by playing pickleball at People's Courts. In 2025, there was increased security for holiday events, following the Bondi Beach shooting. KGW said the Portland Police Bureau "reached out to the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland to collaborate on how to address concerns and ensure community safety. Police will increase patrols in and around Jewish places of worship, schools and community centers, as well as various events celebrating the beginning of Hanukkah." A "Hanukkah Rave" was held at the Barrel Room, a bar in downtown Portland. Other Hanukkah events in Portland in 2025 included the "Llamakkah" menorah lighting at Lewis & Clark College featuring donuts, latkes, and therapy llamas, a menorah lighting ceremony at Multnomah Village, and another lighting ceremony before a Portland Trail Blazers game.

Multnomah Athletic Club has hosted Hanukkah celebrations.

Food and drink

Some local restaurants and grocery stores have offered specials for the holiday. Kachka hosts an annual Latke Party. Elephants Delicatessen and Zupan's Markets have also offered special food options. The defunct Sweet Lorraine's offered latkes and sufganiyot for the holiday.

See also

References

External links

External media

  • , KGW
  • , KPTV
  • , KPTV
  • , KPTV