Tradition Is Tempered by Lack of Permit
A fire permit, or lack of it, got in the way of the lighting of the menorah, but that didn’t stop hundreds of people from enjoying the first Conejo Valley Community Hanukkah Festival on Sunday in Thousand Oaks.
Young and old gathered at the Thousand Oaks Community Center, 2525 N. Moorpark Road, to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights, featuring Judaic cantor Kenny Ellis of Temple Beth Haverim in Agoura Hills. Children had their faces painted, there was Israeli folk dancing and plenty of food.
At 2:30 p.m., dignitaries were scheduled to light the menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum that symbolizes Hanukkah.
However, that part of the event was scuttled on the advice of a fire official, because organizers had failed to obtain a permit.
Instead, they symbolically lit the candles and took their bows.
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.
