Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008 | midnight
The celebration of Hanukkah begins sundown Sunday, commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple after the Jews defeated a Syrian ruler who had outlawed their religious practices, massacred Jews and looted the Temple in Jerusalem in the second century B.C.E.
As the temple was cleansed, enough oil was found to light the Temple's eternal flame for only one day, yet it burned for eight — considered a miracle by the Jewish people.
The span allowed for just enough time to press and prepare fresh olive oil. Today, the holiday is celebrated for eight days, and Jewish homes light the menorah at sundown — the number of lit candles corresponding to the day of Hanukkah.
The holiday is also celebrated with songs, foods fried in oil such as latkes and games involving the dreidel — a spinning top whose Hebrew letters stand for "a great miracle happened there."
Chabad of Green Valley, Midbar Kodesh and Congregation Ner Tamid will present a ceremonial menorah lighting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 23 with music and sufganiyot — fried jelly-filled donuts.
Congregation Ner Tamid in Green Valley will hold its annual Hanukkah dinner with menorah lighting at 6:15 p.m. Dec. 19 followed by a religious school Shabbat featuring the Junior Choir.
Temple Sinai in Summerlin will host festivities at 5 p.m. Dec. 21, including a spirited song service and candle lighting followed by dinner and entertainment including a clown act.
Dave Clark can be reached at 990-2677 or [email protected].
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