HANUKKAH: The eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights,...

HANUKKAH: The eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights, recalling the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple in 165 BC, will begin Wednesday evening.

The holiday, celebrated primarily in homes, is symbolized by the nine-candle Hanukkah menorah on which a kindling candle is used to light one candle each night.

At Emerson Unitarian Church in Canoga Park, guest speaker Rabbi Donald Goor of Temple Judea in Encino will speak Sunday on “The Modern Message of Hanukkah” at the 10:30 a.m. service. The church is at 7304 Jordan Ave. For information, call (818) 887-7288.

Valley Cities Jewish Community Center, 13164 Burbank Blvd., Sherman Oaks, will hold a family Hanukkah celebration Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. featuring entertainment, food, arts and crafts and a sing-along. Admission is $5. Call (818) 786-6310 for information.

On Dec. 12, Temple Ahavat Shalom’s Early Childhood Education Center will present “Hanukkah at Home.” The concert’s two performances will be at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the temple, 18200 Rindaldi Place in Northridge. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children under 12. Information (818) 701-1018.

HANDEL’S “MESSIAH”: The combined choirs of Catholic parishes in Chatsworth and La Canada, backed by a 25-piece chamber orchestra, will present the Christmas portion of George Frideric Handel’s “The Messiah” next weekend.

Handel’s music, plus Arcangelo Corelli’s “Christmas” Concerto, will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday at St. John Eudes Church, 901 Madison Ave., Chatsworth, and at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 at St. Bede the Venerable Church, 215 Foothill Blvd., La Canada. Tickets $8. Information (818) 790-5155.

JAZZ: The Washington High School Jazz Ensemble, winners at the Los Angeles City High School Jazz Fair, performs at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Glendale First Lutheran Church, 1300 E. Colorado Blvd.

News and announcements for this column may be sent to Religion Desk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311.