Celebrate the Festival of Lights on Dec. 21 at Vets Plaza

MENORAH LIGHTING

RabbiAronDavidBerkowitz of the Chabad of West Orange County will share the story of Hanukkah and its meaning at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at Veterans Plaza.

Musical entertainment will help celebrate the Festival of Lights prior to lighting the menorah. It is an opportunity for the community, rich in culture and customs, to learn and share in the joy of this beautiful festival.

The holiday celebrates the Jews defeating Syrian-Greek oppressors who had tried forcing them to abandon their religion and adopt Greek culture.

Led by Judah Maccabee, the Jews recaptured the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

There was only one small cruse of pure oil, enough to light the menorah in the temple for one day.

But it lasted eight days, in time to produce new pure oil, and the menorah was able to remain lit and never burn out.

This miracle is attributed to God and the faith that the Jews had in God.

The Hanukkah menorah has eight main branches, plus the raised ninth lamp set apart as the servant light used to kindle the other lights.

Refreshments (kosher, of course) will be provided by OptumCare, so everyone is invited to stay, have a nosh and say hello to the Health Care Center team. In 1984, Rabbi Berkowitz started Chabad of West Orange County to serve as a traditional synagogue and outreach center in the Huntington Beach area.

For the last 37 years, Rabbi Berkowitz served as the director and Rabbi of Chabad of West Orange County and Congregation Adat Israel.

The congregation has developed an extensive adult education program. When the Jewish Learning Institute opened some 20 years ago, Rabbi Berkowitz introduced it to Orange County, teaching the courses in various cities throughout the county. He is an accomplished musician and the son of Holocaust survivors.

For more information, contact kathyt@lwsb.com or call 562431-6586, ext. 398.