Fire & Ice, Fire Truck Candy Drop and Israel Unity Concert Highlight some of the events

Orange County – Oh do we need some light during these dark times!  Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, begins at sundown on Thursday, December 7th.  Chabad of Orange County, headed by Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston, invites the community to Unite Through Light with a variety of events. 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.  “With all the darkness going on, we all really need this boost of light and warmth,” she said.  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.”

Chester Chanukah Celebration

Thursday, December 7 at 5:30 pm: Festive outdoor Menorah Lighting at the Chester Town Hall, 1786 Kings Highway, Chester. Latkes and Donuts, songs and festivities. Register at www.ChabadOrange.com/ChesterLight

Central Valley Chanukah Celebration

Saturday, December 9, 7pm:  An outdoor Menorah lighting followed by an indoor reception in the party room of Hudson’s Ice Cream, with music, crafts, latkes and donuts. Register at www.ChabadOrange.com/CVlight

Grand Fire & Ice Chanukah Celebration & Unity Concert in Monroe

Sunday, December 10, 3:30pm: Festivities will begin a live carving of 7-foot menorah made of ice, which will then be lit. Thousands of chocolate coins and Chanukah candy will rain down from a fire truck (thanks to the Monroe Fire Department). The celebration will then go indoors for a dinner (including falafel, pasta and latka bar, donuts, ice cream and a lively Israel Unity Concert.   The event will be held at the Chabad House, 94 Gilbert Street in Monroe.  Register at www.ChabadOrange.com/geltdrop

Tuxedo Chanukah Celebration

Monday, December 11, 6:00 pm, Chabad will host a community Menorah Lighting and Reception at the 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 www.ChabadOrange.com/TuxedoLight

#ShareTheLights Social Media Initiative – Chanukah is unique in that its primary mitzvah is observed in public. Traditionally, even menorahs lit at home are to be lit in a doorway or window to publicize the miracle.  Today, with social media, people have the tools to publicize like never before. So why not use it as a tool to spread light!  Chabad encourages the community to post photos of their Chanukah lights on social media with the hashtags #ShareTheLights and #ChabadOrangeLights.  Each night of Chanukah, Chabad of Orange County will enter participants using both hashtags into a raffle for special Chanukah prizes. 

Chanukah Resources

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/mychanukah 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.

Traveling?  Chabad also offers free ‘Chanukah on the Go’ kits, complete with a tin menorah and candles. 

For a full schedule of Chabad’s Chanukah events, and to request a free menorah, contact Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston 845-782-2770 or info@ChabadOrange.com, or log onto www.ChabadOrange.com.

About Chanukah

Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, begins this year on the evening of Thursday, December 7 and concludes the evening of Thursday, December 14. 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.

About Chabad of Orange County

Chabad of Orange County offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations. For more information, contact Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston, directors, at 845-782-2770, rabbi@ChabadOrange.com or visit www.ChabadOrange.com