Hebrew Academy gears up for Hanukkah

Angelique Flores

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- Students at the Hebrew Academy are all tuned up

for their Hanukkah performances around the county.

Jewish senior centers and shopping malls in Orange County will receive

visits from third- and sixth-grade students as well as the high school

student choirs from the school beginning this week. Hanukkah begins at

sundown today.

Among the venues are the Lakewood Mall, Los Cerritos Shopping Center,

Santa Ana Mainplace Mall, Westminster Mall, Ezra Senior Center in Anaheim

and Heritage Point in Laguna Beach.

To celebrate the Jewish festival, the students will have the

traditional latkes and jelly doughnuts Friday. They also will put up a

display of Bais Hamikdosh, meaning the holy temple of old.

While many of the classes are making their own menorahs, the academy

will have their grand menorah lighting at 3 p.m. today and at 1:30 p.m.

Friday for the students and their families.

“Their families get into the Hanukkah activities so the students do

too,” said Rabbi Moishe Engel, assistant principal and teacher at the

academy.

Hanukkah, which means dedication, begins on the Hebrew date of the

25th of Kislev and lasts eight days, through the second of Tevet. This

year, that date corresponds to Dec. 22 to 29.

Also called the Festival of Lights, the Jewish holiday commemorates

the victory of the Maccabees, led by Judah Maccabee, over the Hellenist

Syrians in a revolt during 165 BCE.

Following their victory, the Maccabees entered the Holy Temple in

Jerusalem defiled by the Syrian invaders, cleansed it and dedicated it to

God. In memory of their victory, the Maccabees celebrated the first

Hanukkah.

While the victors were preparing to rededicate the Temple, they found

sacramental oil to light the lamps for only one day. Miraculously, this

small amount of oil kept the Temple lights burning for eight nights --

thus the eight days of Hanukkah -- until the Maccabees could obtain new

oil fit for use.

Congregation B’nai Tzedek will have their menorah lighting and singing

at 8:15 p.m. Friday.

“We’re designating the altar to solidarity with Israel and we’re

praying for peace,” said Rabbi Stephen Einstein.

Congregation B’nai Tzedek is at 9669 Talbert Ave., Fountain Valley.

For more information, call (714) 963-4611.