Chanukah Celebration Begins

PASADENA, CA — Jews throughout the San Gabriel Valley and around the world gathered at sundown Sunday to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah, also known as the festival of lights.

Synagogues and Jewish organizations throughout the region will be hosting traditional candle lighting ceremonies and prayers over the next several days in observance of the eight-day holiday.

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On Sunday, more than 100 people gathered in front of Pasadena City Hall to light a 12-foot tall traditional candleholder, known as a menorah.

“A little bit of light dispels a lot of darkness,” said Chaim Hanoka, Rabbi at the Chabad of Pasadena, which hosted the event.

The crowd sang songs as Hanoka lit the first candle of the menorah, symbolizing the beginning of the holiday. Hanoka reminded those in attendance that just as a candle gives off light, people also must be lights radiating goodness to the world.

Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem and victory over a mighty Greek army in the second century B.C. oil that should have burned for only one day miraculously burned for eight, hence the eight night celebration. It also signifies a miracle during the temple’s rededication in which lamp oil sufficient for only one day inexplicably burned for eight.

“Hanukkah is the celebration of miracles… all the miracles that have happened to us,” Pasadena resident Afshin Akhavan said as he attended the ceremony with his wife and two young children.

A second 5-foot-tall menorah painted by children and decorated with 164 battery-powered lights was also on display Sunday. It represented the 164 victims who died in November’s terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India. Among those victims were a rabbi and his wife.

Hanoka said the smaller menorah was intended to symbolize turning darkness into light.

“That’s essentially what the whole Hanukkah holiday epitomizes,” Hanoka said.

In addition to the lighting ceremonies, traditional Jewish music was played, and children participated in arts and crafts.

Potato pancakes, or “Latkes,” were also handed out to participants.

This was the first time the Chabad erected its giant menorah in front of City Hall, Hanoka said.

“I think it’s wonderful we can light a (menorah) in front of City Hall,” Pasadena resident Shulamit Rosner said.

She added that her favorite part of the holiday is watching children enjoy themselves.

In the coming days, the Chabad of Pasadena will be hosting various other events in commemoration of the holiday, though they will not be public.

On Christmas Day, Chabad members plan to go bowling at an Eagle Rock bowling alley, Hanoka said.

Elsewhere in the area, synagogues and groups have planned other events to celebrate the holiday.

Temple Beth Shalom in Whittier will hold a Hanukkah dinner Saturday.

Temple Ami Shalom in West Covina will also be celebrating on Sunday with a catered dinner, silent auction and Israeli dancing lessons. Reservations must be made by today.