Maccabee's Deli lights grand menorah on first night of Hanukkah

Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register

More than 100 people stood in front of Maccabee's Kosher Deli in Des Moines to watch the lighting of the grand menorah in celebration of the first night of Hanukkah.

"We need a miracle and wonder like it was in those days," said Rabbi Yossi Jacobson, the owner of Maccabee's. "We really need it today more than ever."

Rabbi Yossi Jacobson spoke to the crowd during the first night of Hanukkah Celebration on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 at Maccabee's Deli in Des Moines.
Rabbi Yossi Jacobson spoke to the crowd during the first night of Hanukkah Celebration on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 at Maccabee's Deli in Des Moines.

Maccabee's is the only kosher deli in the state of Iowa, making it a hub of Jewish culture and community in the Des Moines metro.

The deli and Lubavitch of Iowa Torah Center explained the reasons why they celebrate the eight days of Hanukkah and why it matters to them, particularly now in the midst of the Israel-Hamas war.

"We begin with Israel," Jacobson said to the crowd. "We will never forgive our enemies who forced our kids to kill theirs."

The grand menorah, standing well above the Lubavitch of Iowa Torah Center, was lit for the first night of Hanukkah by Joseph Cohen, who spoke in Hebrew, singing prayers high above the crowd in a bucket truck.

More than 100 people gather as they celebrate the lighting of the menorah Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, at Maccabee's Deli in Des Moines.
More than 100 people gather as they celebrate the lighting of the menorah Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, at Maccabee's Deli in Des Moines.

Maccabee's will have menorah lighting events for the eight nights of Hanukkah:

  • The second night: Friday, Dec. 8 at 2:30 p.m.

  • The third night: Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.

  • The fourth night: Sunday, Dec. 10 at 4 p.m. with the unite through light and gelt drop

  • The fifth night: Monday, Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m.

  • The sixth night: Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 5:30 p.m.

  • The seventh night: Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 5:30 p.m.

  • The eighth night: Thursday, Dec. 14 at 5:30 p.m.

Additionally, hot latkes and donuts will be served each night for those who attend the menorah lighting.

Kyle Werner is a reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@dmreg.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Maccabee's Deli celebrates the first night of Hanukkah in Des Moines

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