‘Menorah Man’ will be front and center at Rabbi’s Hanukkah party.

He wears a big plaid hat and a tie that lights up.

He’s Menorah Man--”The Jewish version of Santa Claus,” says Rabbi Eli Hecht--who will be a star of the rabbi’s free Hanukkah party Sunday afternoon at the Torrance Marriott Hotel.

Mr. Abracadabra, in the person of Jewish magician Amos Levkowitz, also will be at the festivities. For a grand finale, he “lights” his fingers as if they are candles on the eight-branched menorah that symbolizes Hanukkah. Known as the Festival of Lights, it commemorates the triumph of the Jews over Syrian Greeks in 165 BC, when the temple at Jerusalem was recaptured.

“We try to put together a community program that will attract all ages and all practices of the Jewish religion to a real fun environment,” said Hecht, who stages the rally for Chabad of South Bay and Palos Verdes, an Orthodox congregation in Lomita that emphasizes education and outreach.

“It’s kids, families and parents that come to this, and you get the whole Jewish community there,” said Cathy Cohen of Torrance, who has been taking her children to the party for the three years that it has been at the Marriott.

“Every child gets a goody bag with balloons and Hanukkah gelt,” said Hecht, explaining that gelt can be chocolate wrapped in gold to resemble coins or real, shiny dimes. At the Marriott, Hecht says, there’ll be a little bit of both. “We ask the children to share in the idea of giving,” he said. “They keep one coin and give another to a homeless person.”

Children also will receive dreidels, which are tops similar to those used for games at the time of Judas Maccabaeus, who led the Jews in recapturing the temple.

This week, South Bay Jews have been observing Hanukkah with religious services, parties and the lighting of menorahs--some of them 6-foot candelabra in shopping centers.

According to tradition, the Jews, after taking possession of the temple, found only enough oil to keep the Eternal Light burning for one day. But a miracle occurred, and the oil lasted for eight days until a fresh supply could be found. During the eight days of Hanukkah, one candle is lit each night, symbolizing the power of faith over oppression.

“The idea of Hanukkah is the realization of true freedom of expression for all people,” said Hecht. “It’s like the word, a festival of light. It brings light for themselves and their friends.”

In addition to the Marriott celebration, there will be other South Bay Hanukkah events this weekend. Temple Beth-El, 1435 W. 7th St., San Pedro, will have a family dinner tonight at 6, followed by Sabbath services at 8. Cost of the dinner is $10, $5 for seniors and students, and reservations may be made by calling 833-2467.

Family Hanukkah services will be tonight at 7:30 at both Temple Menorah, 1101 Camino Real, Redondo Beach, and Congregation Ner Tamid of South Bay, 5721 Crestridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes.

Southwest Temple Beth Torah, 14725 Gramercy Place, Gardena, will have a family Hanukkah service and party tonight at 8:15. The temple sisterhood is holding a party Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with live entertainment, door prizes and a menorah lighting. The cost is $5 for adults, $2.50 for children.

The South Bay Jewish Community Center, 22410 Palos Verdes Blvd., Torrance, will have a Hanukkah party Sunday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. It will include a puppet show, songs, the serving of traditional latkes, or potato pancakes, and candle lighting. Admission is $4 for center members; $6 for non-members; $3 for children 5 to 12 years-old; and $1 for ages 3 to 5.

Rabbi Hecht said the annual celebration at the Marriott was started largely for Jews who are not affiliated with temples where there are Hanukkah activities for members. “I realized there was a tremendous gap in the holiday (for these people),” he said. “We had to put Hanukkah on the front burner.”

People come and go during the 2-hour party, where there is music by a children’s choir and, as a climax to the afternoon, the lighting of a menorah.

The party “is about a lot of people celebrating an event that’s very important,” said Avraham Gralnik of Torrance, a regular at the celebration.

What: Grand Hanukkah Rally.

When: Sunday, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Where: Torrance Marriott Hotel, 3635 Fashion Way, Torrance.

Admission: Free.

Information: 326-8234.