Countywide : Hanukkah Begins Sundown Today

Beginning today at sundown, Jews throughout Ventura County will mark the beginning of the eight-day Hanukkah celebration.

Hanukkah celebrates the recapture of the Temple in Jerusalem from the Syrian Greeks in 165 B.C. According to tradition, the Jews found a small container of consecrated oil in the Temple, enough to keep the Eternal Light burning for one day. By a miracle, the oil lasted eight days until a fresh supply could be found, according to Jewish tradition.

Hanukkah is celebrated by the traditional lighting of the Menorah, an eight-branch candelabrum, and by eating specially prepared foods, said Tamara Lawson, director of education for Temple Beth Torah in Ventura.

“It is traditional to eat foods cooked with oil because of the miracle,” she said.

In Israel, Jews make sufganiyot -- fried jelly filled doughnuts, Lawson said.

In addition to activities at home, Hanukkah is sometimes celebrated at synagogue services, she said.

At Temple Beth Torah, 7620 Foothill Road, a program for children and their parents will run from 9:30 a.m. to noon Sunday and will feature art projects, games, and latkes, better known as potato pancakes, she said.

The Chabad of Ventura will be lighting a 12-foot-tall Menorah at the Buenaventura Mall from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, said Yakov Latowicz, a spokesman for Chabad. The Menorah lighting will take place at 7 p.m. near the Broadway entrance to the mall. Entertainment will include clowns and gifts for children, he said.

At 6:30 p.m. Monday, Chabad will light a Menorah in Ojai at the Libbey Park fountain.

In Thousand Oaks, Temple Etz Chaim, 1080 E. Janss Road, will have a Hanukkah celebration beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday. This year the temple will introduce its new youth choir. The temple also will have the traditional lighting of the Menorah and its men’s club will be preparing latkes, said Bunny Arguello, a rabbi’s assistant.

Temple Adat Elohim, 2420 E. Hillcrest Drive, in Thousand Oaks, will hold its Hanukkah celebration at 7 p.m. Friday. “Our celebration is designed for the entire family and they should bring their own Menorahs and candles for the celebration,” a spokeswoman said.