Lighting of the Menorah at City Hall Tonight Marks Start of Hanukkah, Serves as Source of Hope and Inspiration

In challenging times, the Menorah stands as a symbol of bringing light to the darkness, of the power of God’s light and holiness in a dark and troubled world.

Celebrating that light, Pasadena’s annual Hanukkah Family Festival at City Hall from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. will feature the lighting of a giant Menorah as well as offer family-friendly fun and food to kick off eight days of Hanukkah.

Hanukkah — which means “dedication” in Hebrew — is Judaism’s commemoration of the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem that followed the Maccabees’ victory over a larger Syrian army in 165 B.C.

Around the world Jews light candles in a special menorah called a Hanukkiah each day at sundown for eight days, with an additional candle added each day.

“The Menorah light acts as a source of hope and inspiration,” said Rabbi Chaim Hanoka of the Chabad of Pasadena. “Even though they’re small candles they can eliminate a tremendous amount of darkness bringing peace and blessings.”

“We’re doing a Menorah Lighting and celebrating Police Appreciation Day to show thanks because the Pasadena Police go the extra mile,” Hanoka also said.

The Menorah Lighting has been going on at City Hall for 14 years.

“The event has grown exponentially and attracts a wide array of people from across the board beyond our congregation. People want to enjoy Hanukkah have a great time, enjoy jelly donuts and latkes.”

Hanoka said it’s an important time to come together.

“We’re never going to allow evil to dominate,” Rabbi Hanoka said. “Our job is to add goodness and kindness, and that will eliminate the evil and darkness in the world. Love your neighbor as yourself, that can go a long way.”

Rabbi Zushi Rivkin of Pasadena Jewish Academy echoed these sentiments.

“It’s tremendously significant that this event is happening outside City Hall,” Rabbi Rivkin said. “Our government is supposed to be about freedom. We have Jews from all walks of life, and people from all walks of life attending.

He said there have been horrific attacks recently on Jewish people, but here in Pasadena he has experienced a great deal of support.

“There have been anti-Semitic attacks, but the most horrific of all was the shooting in Pittsburgh. 11 Jews were murdered for just being Jewish. I was sitting in my office thinking, ‘Really? Is this the same as other countries?’ And immediately the phone rings. It was the pastor from a church a couple of blocks down. He said, ‘I know Jews are hurting but I want to say you have friends, it’s not just Jews supporting you here in Pasadena.’ Hanukkah is a celebration of that.”

Beyond Pasadena, Rivkin praised the United States.

“It’s because America opens its doors to everyone,” Rabbi Rivkin said. “You can be who you want to be. America is a country of kindness.”

Besides the lighting of the menorah. other Hanukkah traditions include spinning a dreidel, a four-sided top, which partially commemorates a game that Jews under Greek domination are believed to have played to camouflage their Torah study, and eating foods fried in oil, such as latkes, pancakes of grated raw potatoes and jelly doughnuts.

Children receive Hanukkah “gelt” (the Yiddish word for money) from parents and grandparents. The tradition originated with 17th-century Polish Jews giving money to their children to give their teachers during Hanukkah, which led to parents also giving children money.

In the United States, the practice has evolved into giving holiday gifts to children and others.

Unlike on the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, or Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, observant Jews are permitted to work and attend school during Hanukkah, the only Jewish holiday that commemorates a military victory.

Pasadena’s Hanukkah Family Festival on Sunday is free and open to everyone and will last from 3:30 to 5 p.m. For more information, call (626) 445-0810. Pasadena City Hall is located at 100 North Garfield Avenue.