For the past 18 years Chabad of Nashville has been lighting the Metro Menorah at Riverfront Park and then at Public Square with a sitting Nashville Mayor, starting with Mayor Purcell, then Mayor Dean, followed by Mayor Megan Barry, Mayor David Briley, and this year with Mayor John Cooper. 

On the second night of Hanukkah Nashville's Mayor, John Cooper, together with community leadership participated in a COVID safe Menorah lighting at Public Square. In attendance were a limited crowd in accordance with the covid safety rules of Metro Nashville.  

The event opened with welcoming remarks by Rabbi Yitzchok Tiechtel from Chabad of Nashville, and Hanukkah greetings by Andy May on behalf of the Jewish Federation, and by Rabbi Michael Shulman from the Temple. Vice Mayor Jim Shulman shared greetings and welcomed Mayor John Cooper who shared a message of light and hope with all Nashvillians. 

It was then followed by the lighting of the 12-foot-tall Menorah in Public Square as Rabbi Yitzchok Tiechtel of Chabad of Nashville and Mayor John Cooper climbed aboard the scissor lift and rode up to the top of the 12-foot Menorah for the Metro Menorah Lighting. The event was covered by the local media and streamed on the Mayor’s Facebook page.  

On the fifth night of Hanukkah, Rabbi Yitzchok Tiechtel together with Governor Bill Lee lit the Hanukkah Menorah in the Old Supreme Court chamber in the Tennessee State Capitol. Governor Lee also recorded a Hanukkah greeting with Rabbi Tiechtel that was shared on his social media and was viewed by over 15,000 people. 

Chabad of Nashville also placed public Menorahs around Nashville, including local supermarkets and other public venues. Chabad of Nashville also distributed hundreds of Hanukkah-To-Go kits to Jewish families across Middle Tennessee, so that no family feels alone, as No Jew Will Be Left Behind.