Best Ways To Celebrate Hanukkah In Sacramento
Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is an annual Jewish holiday celebrated by the Jewish community to observe the memory of the Jerusalem temple being dedicated again after they triumphed over their enemies. This year, it starts on December 9 on our calendar, which is also the 25th of the Jewish month Kislev.
The temple was to be purified by burning oil in the temple menorah for eight days, unfortunately there was only enough oil for one day. The miracle was that the one day's worth of oil burned for eight days.
The celebratory days of Hanukkah start at sundown the night before. Therefore, the first night of candle lighting will be on December 8. Those that honor this holiday tradition will find out when sundown is in their location, and that is when they will light the candles each night.
Below you will find various events that are happening in the Sacramento area during the week of Hanukkah. If you have questions about the holiday or how the Jewish people celebrate it, you should contact the various rabbis and/or pastors involved in these events.
Hanukkah Candle Ceremony and Teaching
Victory Tabernacle Family Worship Center
3910 Marysville Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95838
(916) 320-0249
www.vtfwc.org
Date: December 8
On December 8 at sundown, when people everywhere will be lighting their menorah's first candle, Dr. Noreen Jacks will be teaching about Hanukkah at Victory Tabernacle Family Worship Center. During this evening service, there will be a candle-lighting ceremony of the menorah as well as Dr. Jacks' teaching on why Christians should celebrate this holiday. For more information, contact Pastor Hinkle at (916) 320-0249.
Related: Best Bilingual Extracurricular Activities For Kids In Sacramento
Milk and Bookies at the Albert Einstein Residence Center
Albert Einstein Residence Center
1935 Wright St.
Sacramento, CA 95825
www.jewishsac.org
Date: December 9, 2012
PJ Library will be hosting a Chanukah party for the residents of Albert Einstein Residence Center. This is a part of the 2nd Annual Mitzvah Week, being held by the Jewish Federation. The organization is asking for donations of new books for children in need. During the celebration, the attendees will sing Chanukah songs and light a candle to honor the holiday. Milk and cookies will be provided. The event will be held from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. PJ Library is a Jewish literacy and outreach program for Jewish families with children ages six months to eight years of age, funded by the Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region. For more information about PJ Library, contact pjlibrary@jewishsac.org.
NCJW Chanukah Party for Seniors
Albert Einstein Residence Center
1935 Wright St.
Sacramento, CA 95825
www.jewishsac.org
Date: December 12, 2012
National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) will be celebrating the Festival of Lights on Wednesday, December 12 starting at 11 a.m. at the Albert Einstein Residence Center. This luncheon with entertainment is free to the seniors. NCJW is expecting 100 seniors to attend this annual Chanukah celebration. For more information, call Iris Bachman at (916) 484-0572 or email her at bachiris@comcast.net. The Center is looking for volunteers to serve lunch and spend time with the guests. If you are 16 or older, sign up to join in the fun.
2nd Annual Mitzvah Week
Jewish Federation of The Sacramento Region
2014 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 486-0906
www.jewishsac.org
Dates: December 9-14, 2012
The Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region will celebrate its 2nd Annual Mitzvah Week from December 9 through December 14. During that time, it will partner with other Sacramento-area charity groups and Jewish groups for a week of community service. For more information or to volunteer to help, contact the federation through email at federation@jewishsac.org.
Deb Ling is a freelance writer covering all things Sacramento. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.