While you might be counting down the days until Christmas, area Jewish residents are already halfway through their winter holiday celebration. Thursday marks the fourth day of Hanukkah, the annual Festival of Lights that commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean Revolt. The eight candles commemorate the eight nights that a single day’s worth of oil burned during those events.

Congregation Cnesses Israel is the oldest Jewish congregation in Brown County, first established in 1904. The congregation has since switched buildings and now holds services on Baird Street in Green Bay. Cantor Kate Judd says the congregation has shrunk in recent years as members have died or moved away, and younger families have not come to take their place.

That challenge is compounded by the small Jewish population in the region. According to the Berman Jewish Databank, fewer than 2,000 Jews live across a six-county area that includes Brown County (1,100), Outagamie County (450), Manitowoc County (300), Door County (50), Kewaunee County (10) and Oconto County.

Despite the small numbers, Judd says the congregation is enthusiastic and loves being together to celebrate their faith, even in the face of growing antisemitism around the world.

You can join Judd and Congregation Cnesses Israel for Shabbat services in person or on Zoom this Friday and Saturday. Judd adds that the congregation will hold a larger celebration on Sunday, the final day of Hanukkah.