Religion Notes

HANUKKAH THEMES: A generation ago, says a Woodland Hills rabbi, American Jews celebrating Hanukkah focused mostly on “the miracle of the oil”--the “happy ending” of the centuries-old story of oil burning inexplicably for eight days in the recaptured Jerusalem Temple.

“Today we emphasize the theme of Jewish identity because it reflects our own contemporary struggle,” said Rabbi Stewart Vogel in Temple Aliyah’s newsletter.

The story of Hanukkah--which begins at sunset Sunday--recounts the rebellion by Jews in the 2nd century BC against Syrian rulers influenced by the pervasive Greek culture, which Vogel termed “seductive Hellenism.”

The story “speaks to our own struggle against the allure of wealth and excess that not only draws us away from the religious roots of our ancestors, but also from our rootedness in family and community,” Vogel said.

For example, Vogel cited the Christmas-influenced observance of Hanukkah in which many children expect a gift each day of the eight-day, home-oriented holiday.

“Our children do not need more presents; they need a more Jewish presence,” he said.

HANUKKAH EVENTS: A large Hanukkah festival Sunday in the West Valley is among activities linked to the eight-day Festival of Lights. They include:

* The second annual West Valley Hanukkah Festival at the West Valley Jewish Community Center, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills, will feature holiday and Israeli foods, entertainment and activities for various ages. Co-sponsored by five Reform and Conservative synagogues in the area, the event will begin at noon and last until 4:30 p.m. Admission is $2 for adults.

* Jews in recovery from alcoholism, drugs, compulsive overeating and other afflictions are invited to attend a special program at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Temple Beth Hillel, 12326 Riverside Drive, Valley Village. The Hanukkah meeting “marks the second of three recovery meetings [one at Yom Kippur, another at Purim] that focuses on the potential of the Jewish holidays to aid in spiritual recovery,” a spokeswoman said. The series, led by Rabbi Paul Kipnes, is in conjunction with the Alcohol Drug Action Program of Jewish Family Services. Information: (818) 763-9148.

* “Hanukkah Lights,” a musical theater production by the four-member Shpieler Troupe of Van Nuys, will be presented Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Temple Ner Maarav in Encino. Tickets are $8.50 at the door. Call Theatix for advance tickets at (213) 466-1767.

* Storyteller Karen Golden will share her favorite Hanukkah tales from around the world at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Zeldin-Hershenson Hall at Stephen S. Wise Temple atop the Sepulveda Pass. Candle lighting precedes the program and sufganoit (jelly doughnuts) follow it. Tickets are $7 at the door. Information: (818) 788-4778, ext. 2203.

CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES: Concerts and an outdoor festival are among pre-Christmas events this weekend at San Fernando Valley churches. A sampling follows:

* A two-day, outdoor Christmas festival will begin this afternoon at Calvary Bible Church, 1101 S. Main St., Burbank, featuring a live Nativity scene, free donkey rides for children and hourly dramatic and musical presentations on three stages. The festival will be open from 3 to 8:30 p.m. today and Sunday.

* “Christmas Fantasia,” a collection of favorite carols and Christmas songs by Grammy and Dove award winner Greg Nelson and arranger David Hamilton, will feature the chancel choir of Woodland Hills United Methodist Church, 5650 Shoup Ave., in a 4 p.m. concert that includes children’s choirs.

* “The Gift of Christmas,” a musical production of traditional and contemporary music with orchestral accompaniment, will be presented at 10:45 a.m. Sunday at North Hollywood First Assembly of God, 11455 Burbank Blvd.

* Choral selections from “A Time for Christmas,” a cantata filled with contrasting music styles written by David Clydesdale, Steve Amerson and Lowell Alexander, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Sunday by the chancel choir of St. John’s in the Valley United Methodist Church, 20600 Roscoe Blvd., Canoga Park.

* The combined choirs of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Santa Monica and St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church of North Hollywood will present “Festival of Lessons and Carols” on Sunday at 3 p.m. at St. Matthew’s, 11031 Camarillo St. A second performance at 7 p.m. will be given at St. Paul’s, 958 Lincoln Blvd.

FILIPINO MASSES: Filipino Catholics will begin celebrating Simbang Gabi--nine days of Masses in preparation for Christmas--at six churches today and Sunday in the San Fernando Valley area.

A sequence of Masses from parish to parish in the East Valley will start at 5:30 p.m. today at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 10321 Tujunga Canyon Blvd., Tujunga, and continue at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, 7800 Vineland Ave., Sun Valley. On Monday night, the roving parishioners will have the choice of 7 p.m Masses at St. Genevieve in Panorama City, St. Didacus in Sylmar or St. Ferdinand in San Fernando.

The West Valley sequence will begin 7 p.m. today at St. John de la Salle Church, 16545 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, and continue 7 p.m. Sunday at Our Lady of the Valley, 22021 Gault St., Canoga Park.

An abbreviated schedule of Simbang Gabi Masses in the Antelope Valley and Canyon Country began Friday night in Lancaster. It will move to St. Mary’s Church, 1600 E. Ave. R-4, Palmdale, at 7 p.m. today and to St. Clare’s Church, 19606 Calla Way, Canyon Country, for a 5:30 p.m. observance Sunday. A fourth and final Mass in the region will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Blessed Junipero Serra, 6122 W. Azalea Drive, Quartz Hill.

PRESBYTERIAN CLERGY: Three Presbyterian churches in the Valley have selected new pastors, and North Hollywood Presbyterian has named an interim pastor.

The Presbytery of San Fernando regional office has announced that the Rev. Ken Tracy, most recently a Presbyterian administrator in Utah, began this month as pastor at the St. James congregation in Tarzana; the Rev. Nelson Grande will become co-pastor at Van Nuys Presbyterian with primary responsibility for its Latino congregation, and the Rev. Paul W. Clairville, most recently of Ohio, will begin as pastor of Westminster Presbyterian in Burbank on Feb. 1.

At North Hollywood Presbyterian, which recently lost Pastor John Moody after 11 years to a congregation in Salem, Ore., the Rev. Mike Roffina has been named interim pastor. Roffina, who lives in Pasadena, recently served as executive director of the Episcopal Church camp in Wrightwood for six years.

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News and announcements for this column may be mailed to Religion Desk, L.A. Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth, CA 91311 or faxed to (818) 772-3338.