THOUSAND OAKS : Celebrations of Hanukkah Begin Tonight

Jews across Ventura County will celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah tonight.

The eight-day holiday marks the victory of the Jews in a war against Syrian-Greek rulers who had desecrated the Jews’ temple in Jerusalem. Hanukkah candles recall the oil lamp the Jews lit when they rededicated the temple in 165 BC.

The holiday’s timing depends on the lunar Jewish calendar. Usually it starts in December, but this Hanukkah falls very early in the Gregorian calendar, rabbis said.

Rabbi Shimon Paskow of Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks said the holiday’s early timing might leave Jewish children depressed when Christmas rolls around.

“Since Hanukkah is so early, there’s nothing to compensate for all the Christmas commotion, and kids may feel a little left out,” he said.

But Paskow said many Jewish children go to Jewish camps over the winter school break. And he said the early holiday has been good for business, bringing shoppers to the stores before the traditional Thanksgiving start of the holiday season.

Temple Etz Chaim will have a service at 5 p.m. today at 1080 Janss Road, featuring the lighting of Hanukkah candles. Afterward, congregants will sing Hanukkah songs and eat potato pancakes.

The Chabad of Ventura Jewish Community Center is planning to welcome the holiday by lighting a giant Hanukkah menorah in front of the Broadway department store in Buenaventura Plaza on South Mills Road. The observance will also include singing and potato pancakes.

Ventura County Jewish Council-Temple Beth Torah in Ventura and Adat Elohim-Reform Temple of Conejo in Thousand Oaks both plan Hanukkah celebrations for Friday.