Jewish community begins celebration of Hanukkah

The Jewish celebration of Hanukkah starts tonight and lasts eight nights. The central tradition of Hanukkah is the lighting of the Menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum that holds either oil or candles. One light is lit each night for eight nights.

Hanukkah celebrates two miracles. The first is the Jewish battle for religious freedom in the Land of Israel. The Maccabees won even though they were outnumbered by the Syrian Greeks. The second miracle happened after the Maccabees recaptured the Temple. They found only enough oil to light the menorah for one day, but the oil ended up burning for eight days. This is why Hanukkah is often referred to as the Festival of Lights.

Other Hanukkah traditions include playing dreidel, giving out gelt money to children, and foods fried in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled donuts).

Hanukkah is an important celebration for the Jewish people because it’s a reminder that every person has the right to worship freely. Religious freedom is one of the tenants on which the United States was founded and is protected under the First Amendment.

The 2018 National Menorah Lighting at the White House takes place Sunday afternoon.

Locally, you can take part in the celebration at the Chabad Jewish Center in Cape Coral Parkway West at 4:00 p.m. Sunday.