Orange County – Chabad of Orange County, headed by Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston, invites the community to spread light together with a variety of events. Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, begins at sundown on Sunday, December 14. The celebrations are open to all and are free of charge. The ceremonies will include the traditional lighting of the menorah, as well as joyous Chanukah songs, dreidels, hot latkes and other traditional Chanukah treats such as doughnuts and chocolate “gelt.” Local dignitaries will be joining and sharing words of greeting.
“The menorah’s message is all the more relevant today,” explained Chana Burston. The menorah demonstrates light over darkness, freedom over oppression and religious freedom. A small amount of light dispels a lot of darkness. Another act of goodness and kindness, another act of light, can make all the difference.”
Chanukah Event Highlights:
- Martinis and Miracles – The Jewish Women’s Circle will gather on Saturday, December 6 for a pre-Chanukah glass etching event. ChabadOrange.com/JWC
- Miracle Makers Olive Press – Kids get to learn about the Chanukah miracle with an interactive olive oil making workshop. Sunday, December 7, 11:15 am. ChabadOrange.com/CKidsClub
- The Great Lego Menorah Build & Celebration – Sunday, Dec. 14, 3:00 pm at Chabad. Interactive, guided building of Orange County’s tallest Lego menorah! Event to include live music, latkes, doughnuts, crafts and more! Register at ChabadOrange.com/LegoLights
- Tuxedo Menorah Lighting – Monday, Dec. 15, 5:30 pm at Tuxedo Train Station, 240 Route 17. Menorah lighting will be outdoors, followed by reception inside the train station community room. Latkes, doughnuts and hot chocolate will be served. This event is free of charge. Register at ChabadOrange.com/TuxedoLight
- Epic Fire Truck Gelt Drop & Chanukah Celebration – Tuesday, Dec. 16, 6:00 pm at Chester Town Hall, 1786 Kings Highway, Chester. Latkes and Donuts, songs and festivities. Register at ChabadOrange.com/GeltDrop
Chanukah Resources:
- Got Candles? Traveling? Pick up your FREE Chanukah Kit at Chabad.
- IDF Chanukah Party – Partner with us in bringing the joy of Chanukah to our modern-day Maccabees – the IDF heroes – on an IDF army base in Israel.
- Toy Drive – Chabad Teens are holding a holiday toy drive to be distributed to children with special needs.
- Our Chanukah Mega-Site & Holiday Guides – If you are wondering, “How do I light the Menorah: From right to left or left to right?” “What blessings do I make?” “Got any good Latke recipes?” “Hey, why do we eat Latkes?” “What is the Kabbalah of Chanukah?” “Where do I find local and global Chanukah celebrations?” “Why do we play dreidel?” “Do I have to eat fried foods on Chanukah or can I stick to my diet?” Then be sure to check out Chabad’s special Chanukah website: www.ChabadOrange.com/chanukah
It is your gateway to the world’s premiere Chanukah site, loaded with content including: Chanukah how-to guides, recipes, Chanukah insights, videos and games, virtual Chanukah cards, the story of Chanukah, and much more. If you are traveling, you can also view its listing of Chanukah celebrations worldwide.
About Chanukah
Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, begins this year on the evening of Sunday, December 14 through Monday, December 22. It recalls the victory more than 2100 years ago of a militarily weak but spiritually strong Jewish people, over the mighty forces of a ruthless enemy that had overrun ancient Israel and sought to impose restrictions on the Jewish way of life and prohibit religious freedom. The Syrian Greeks desecrated and defiled the Temple and the oils prepared for the lighting of the menorah, which was part of the daily service. Upon recapturing the Temple only one jar of undefiled oil was found, enough to burn only one day, but it lasted miraculously for eight. In commemoration, Jews celebrate Chanukah for eight days by lighting an eight-branched candelabrum known as a menorah. The menorah is placed on a window or a doorpost facing the outside in order to publicize G-d’s miracle, with its message of hope and religious freedom, to all. Today, people of all faiths consider the holiday a symbol and message of the triumph of freedom over oppression, of spirit over matter, of light over darkness.
