World IN BRIEF : ISRAEL : Soviet Immigrants Mark 1st Hanukkah
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
Many of the 150,000 Soviets who emigrated to Israel this year celebrated Hanukkah for the first time as Jews around the world began the eight-day Festival of Lights. Hanukkah marks the victory of the Jews over the Greco-Syrian kingdom in 165 BC. Many of the immigrants are secular Jews and know little of Jewish history. More than 1,000 Jews have been arriving in Israel daily as a result of Moscow’s easing of its emigration policies.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
