■ Wednesday marked the first night of Hanukkah, and the Chabad House of Toledo is offering three opportunities for the public to engage with the eight-day Festival of Lights.
The sixth annual downtown menorah lighting with Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz will be held outside of One Government Center at noon Friday.
Chanukah on Ice will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Ribbon at the Glass City Metropark, 1505 Front. St., featuring a menorah ice sculpture.
The 37th annual Chanukah at the Mall event will be at 4:30 p.m. Monday near the food court at Franklin Park Mall, 5001 Monroe St. The menorah lighting will be at 5:10 p.m.
All three programs are free to attend and will offer latkes and donuts, music and entertainment, and more.
This year’s celebrations carry added significance, marking 50 years since the first public menorah was lit at the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia in 1974, according to the Hasidic Jewish organization. Public Hanukkah displays have become a staple of Jewish life in America.