Glowing Cotton Candy Menorah and Fire Truck Candy Drop Highlight some of the events

Orange County – We can really use some light during these dark times!  Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, begins at sundown on Wednesday, December 25th.  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.”

Chanukah Event Highlights:

•         Mega Latke Sizzle! First Night of Chanukah – Wednesday, Dec. 25, 3 pm, at Chabad. Family fun making latkes, lighting the menorah and enjoying Chanukah treats.  www.ChabadOrange.com/Latke
•         Tuxedo Menorah Lighting – Thursday, Dec. 26, 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 www.ChabadOrange.com/TuxedoLight
•         Grand Chanukah Celebration with Glow Cotton Candy Menorah & Fire Truck Gelt Drop – Sunday, Dec. 29, 4:00 pm at Chabad.  Fire Truck Chanukah Candy Drop followed by sculpting of glowing cotton candy menorah and lighting!  Festivities include cotton candy art, dairy dinner buffet, latkes, doughnuts, crafts and more!  Register at www.ChabadOrange.com/GeltDrop
•         Chester Menorah Lighting – Monday, Dec. 30, 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

 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.  www.ChabadOrange.com/IDF
•         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 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 Wednesday, December 25 through Thursday, January 2nd.  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