Public Hanukkah lightings planned in many cities

In London, a menorah lighting is scheduled for Dec. 10, at 6 p.m. in Trafalgar Square. In Paris, a lighting planned for Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. will include a concert with live Jewish music and a live video link to menorah lightings in New York and Jerusalem at the Western Wall. In Berlin, the menorah lighting will take place Dec. 9, at 6:30 p.m.

In New York, a "Hanukkah on ice" event is planned for Dec. 10, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., with a concert and skating party at the rink in Central Park just north of the 59th Street entrance. At 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue, a giant menorah carved from blocks of ice will be lit Dec. 11, at 6 p.m.

In Washington, the National Menorah Lighting is scheduled for 4 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Ellipse near the White House, with performances by the U.S. Navy Band and a musical group called The Three Cantors.

In Miami, the Miami Heat host a Jewish heritage night at the basketball team's Dec. 12 game at American Airlines Arena. A menorah will be lit at half-time and a Hanukkah party will be held on the court after the game.