Chabad centers in St. Louis have announced “Show-Me-Chanukah,” a program designed to maximize awareness of the upcoming Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The event aims to highlight the history and traditional observances of Hanukkah, which begins this year after nightfall on Saturday, Dec, 24 and lasts for eight days.

The Market in the Loop, 6655 Delmar Blvd., will be the site of the central public menorah lighting, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 24, whose theme is “A Tribute to Student Leadership.” The program will include a menorah lighting ceremony with the kindling performed by the leaders of the University of Missouri-St. Louis Jewish Student Association club. There also will be free hot latkes, music and gelt for children. Elected officials will also offer Hanukkah greetings. The event will conclude with Hasidic dancing.

“A little bit of light can dispel a great deal of darkness”, said Rabbi Hershey Novack of Chabad on Campus. “Our goal is to introduce the light and warmth of the Hanukkah lights to the entire community, and to brighten the lives of individuals, families and children, not only in their homes, but also in their public thoroughfares and places of business.”

This is the fifth year that Chabad has partnered with the Market on the Loop to put on this event. For more details, visit chabadwashu.org.