PORTLAND — Chabad of Maine kicks off the festival of lights tonight at Portland City Hall with the lighting of the community menorah.

The event, which begins at 6 p.m. at the front of City Hall, is the first in the celebration of the Jewish holiday Hanukkah — the lighting of eight candles successively over the course of eight days.

"It is a holiday that enriches our lives with the light of tradition," Rabbi Moshe Wilanski, director of the Chabad House, said, "In ancient times our ancestors rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem with the menorah. Today, we rededicate ourselves to making this world a better and brighter place."

After Rabbi Wilanski lights the large menorah a public Hanukkah party will follow in the Maine State Room, with traditional treats of latkes and doughnuts, and music with the Maine Meshugoim.

If you happen to miss the lighting tonight, there will be another celebration on the eighth night of Hanukkah, when the last lamp is lit, at the Portland Ice Arena, 225 Park Avenue. This "Ice Skating Hanukkah Party" starts at 6:15 p.m.