Lighting of 10-foot menorah is Monday evening at Ginsberg Jewelers in Cedar Rapids

This Monday, the second night of Hanukkah, a 10-foot menorah will be lit, followed by a communitywide celebration.

The event will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Ginsberg Jewelers, 4647 First Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. It is open to the public and will feature the menorah lighting performed by Rabbi Aron Schimmel and Cedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart, who also will deliver holiday greetings.

Following the lighting ceremony, those in attendance can dance, sing and eat doughnuts and “Latkes” (potato pancakes), a traditional Hanukkah food. The event also will feature Hanukkah gelt, gifts and dreidels for the children.

Schimmel, director of the Chabad Jewish Center of Northeast Iowa, said this is the first such event in Cedar Rapids.

“With the Cedar Rapids population growing, more and more people are requesting that we diversify our offerings. We are delighted to do this at Ginsberg Jewelers this year,” Schimmel said. “The Menorah serves as a symbol of Cedar Rapids’ dedication to preserve and encourage the right and liberty of all its citizens to worship.”

Dagmar Swazo, who is looking forward to attending the public menorah lighting, said, "I want my kids to grow up with pride in their Jewish heritage and a feeling of equality and self-confidence as an American. The public menorah lighting is one of the most important events to help my children’s education. It helps me teach my children values that I took for granted growing up.”

The menorah display at Ginsberg Jewelers is one of several in the state of Iowa and one of thousands of large public menorahs sponsored by Chabad throughout the world, helping children and adults of all walks of life discover and enjoy the holiday message.