Community Menorah Lighting Brings Festival of Lights to Rotary Square

The Chabad Jewish Center announced it will hold a public Menorah lighting in Rotary Square on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 5 p.m., inviting residents across Grand Traverse County to a family friendly Festival of Lights. The event will include music, fresh donuts, warm cider and community activities, and will center on a canned food build where donated cans will be arranged into a menorah to be given to local shelters. Organizers said cans can be dropped off at the Chabad ahead of the event, and RSVP information and sponsorship and donation options are available at menorah.jewishtc.org.

Planned as an accessible downtown gathering, the lighting uses a public space to bring together Jewish and non Jewish neighbors for a seasonal celebration while also addressing food insecurity. The canned food build turns a symbolic ritual into practical support for people experiencing homelessness or food hardship in the county, and will likely supply local shelters with non perishable items during the coldest weeks of the year.

Public health considerations accompany winter events of this size. Seasonal respiratory illnesses tend to rise in December, and attendees with vulnerable household members or underlying conditions may want to take precautions when deciding to attend. Outdoor settings reduce risk compared with indoor gatherings, and the event offers open air space in Rotary Square. The timing and family friendly programming aim to draw multigenerational participation, which underscores the importance of planning for crowd flow and accessibility so older adults and families with young children can participate comfortably and safely.

As a community notice, the event provides a chance for civic connection and charitable action. Residents who wish to contribute canned goods, support sponsorship opportunities or RSVP can find details at menorah.jewishtc.org. By combining celebration with a tangible donation effort, the event highlights how seasonal traditions can be mobilized to advance local equity and support the most vulnerable in Grand Traverse County.