After canceling the public Hanukkah celebration in the Castro last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, about 100 people turned out November 30 for the return of the large menorah in Jane Warner Plaza.
Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights. The menorah lighting was organized by Congregation Sha'ar Zahav, San Francisco's LGBTQ synagogue; the Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit District; and the Castro Merchants Association.
The majority of attendees were members of the synagogue and there were also allies to the Jewish community present, as well as dignitaries such as gay state Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, who are both Jewish.