Staff report on December 10, 2020
Thursday night, on the first evening of Hanukkah, the University of Kansas’ Chabad Center for Jewish Life hosted a menorah lighting outside the Lawrence Arts Center.
Community members were encouraged to join the event via a virtual “Light Up Lawrence” livestream event. Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel, director of the Chabad Center for Jewish Life, led the event, which included a blessing, the lighting of the 10-foot menorah and the singing of “I Have a Little Dreidel” by Tiechtel’s sons. Rep. Mike Amyx helped light the menorah.
Tiechtel said this is the first time in Lawrence history — at least since Quantrill’s Raid — that a menorah will be lit publicly for the full eight days of Hanukkah.