Shedding Light on Hanukkah Customs

Hanukkah, which begins at sundown Sunday, is a religious holiday based on legend rather than on the Bible.

Perhaps it’s that festive aspect of Hanukkah that accounts for the whimsy demonstrated in this year’s menorah-making contest at Ventura’s Temple Beth Torah.

One of the menorahs--an eight-branched candelabra long considered the main symbol of the holiday--is made entirely of dog biscuits.

“I’m amazed at the creativity of the entries,” said Rabbi Lisa Hochberg-Miller.

Other, more traditional menorahs are lighted nightly during Hanukkah, celebrated from Dec. 13 through 20 this year.

According to Hochberg-Miller, Hanukkah springs from a legend about a battle between ancient Judeans and the Selucids of the Greek Empire in Syria in 165 BC.

The story goes that a small band of Judean zealots, or freedom fighters, rose and took a stand against the more powerful Greek Hellenic forces and held them off during a three-year battle, eventually repelling them.

The Judeans then reclaimed the temple in Jerusalem. Inside, they found a lamp that had gone out. They also found a small bottle of olive oil, and they rededicated the temple by rekindling the menorah, which stayed lighted for eight days. (Hanukkah means “dedicate” or “rededicate” in Hebrew.)

“And that’s how we have the story of celebrating Hanukkah for eight days,” Hochberg-Miller said. “We light one branch of the menorah each night.”

Two of Hanukkah’s most traditional foods, potato latkes and jelly doughnuts, represent food fried in the oil the ancient Judeans found in the Jerusalem temple.

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With the holiday falling as close to Christmas as it does, it sometimes seems to be overshadowed by the Christian celebration, rabbis say.

“The seduction and lure to celebrate Christmas is overwhelming,” Hochberg-Miller said. “We have to work not to get swept up into the larger secular celebration.”

Hochberg-Miller said her kindergartner goes through Christmas rituals at her school, “and it can be a struggle for her not to feel alienated--not to feel different from her classmates,” she said.

Rabbi Ken Milhander of Camarillo’s Temple Ner Ami says that isn’t at all unusual. And he isn’t surprised that certain aspects of the Christmas holiday have crept into the celebration of Hanukkah, at least with some Jews.

“Historically, giving gifts has not been part of the traditional celebration of Hanukkah,” he said. “However, minorities who live in majority cultures often assimilate into that culture to some extent.”

Milhander added that the extent to which Jews choose to decorate and give gifts for Hanukkah is an individual choice. “It often depends on what your parents did when you were growing up.”

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But he pointed out that if Hanukkah fell in, say, August instead of December, it would not be observed with nearly as much gift-giving.

Many synagogues around Ventura County hold Hanukkah boutiques, at which blue and white decorations and spinning top dreidels are sold. Hanukkah cards are often available in stores in the greeting card section.

The holiday is also celebrated with Hanukkah fairs, such as the large family extravaganza at Calamigos Ranch near Agoura Hills set for Dec. 20, which draws thousands each year.

Other Hanukkah events include:

* Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks invites everyone to witness the kindling of the first candle for the first night of Hanukkah at 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

Rabbi Shimon Paskow and Cantor Jeff Cohen will lead the singing of the blessings and Hanukkah songs. Participants who wish to light a menorah may bring their own, and the temple will provide candles.

Michael Katz will tell stories, and Dale Alpert will lead Israeli folk-dancing. The men’s club and sisterhood will serve hot latkes with applesauce.

All are invited to take part. Temple Etz Chaim is at 1080 Janss Road. For more information, call 497-6891.

* Chabad of the Conejo joins the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza in hosting a “Hanukkah on Ice” celebration Monday.

The event will feature ice-skating to Hanukkah melodies for the children, a live band, Israeli and Hasidic dancing, refreshments, crafts and a menorah kindling ceremony. The ice sculptor Yoshi will carve a menorah out of a block of ice.

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The program runs from 5 to 8 p.m. For those who wish to skate, admission is $2; otherwise, admission is free.

* Chabad of Ventura will present its annual Hanukkah festival Monday at the Buenaventura Mall in Ventura. The 7 p.m. program, held inside near the Macy’s entrance, will include a puppet show, a magician, clowns, live music and a menorah-lighting ceremony. Hot latkes will be served, and children will receive dreidels and prizes. A Hanukkah boutique will be open throughout the program. Call 658-7441 for more information.

* In Simi Valley, Chabad will join with the Mountaingate Plaza Shopping Center for an indoor Hanukkah festival Wednesday. Clown shows, live music, hot latkes and a menorah kindling will be featured. The free event will also introduce Rabbi Nathan Gurary to the Simi Valley Jewish community. Gurary will soon move to Simi Valley to open Chabad’s newest center.

The festivities begin at 7 p.m.

* Hanukkah will be celebrated at Temple Beth Torah in Ventura with a Shabbat service and a fair.

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The Shabbat service, on Friday, will begin with a potluck meal at 6 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. family service. At that time, the winners of the annual Hanukkiah contest will be announced. A party will follow, sponsored by the Women of Reform Judaism, featuring candle-lighting and treats.

On Dec. 20, the Torah School will sponsor a morning Hanukkah fair. “Hanukkah Lights,” a play by the Schpieler Troupe, will follow the fair, which begins at 9:30 a.m.

Events are free and open to the public. The temple is located at 7620 Foothill Road. For more information, call 647-4181.

* The “Hanukkah Wonderland” family extravaganza will be held at Calamigos Ranch outside Agoura Hills Dec. 20.

The fair of Jewish culture and entertainment will feature historical exhibits, music, rides, crafts, games, kosher food, a petting zoo with acts and sports challenges for all ages.

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A menorah kindling festival will begin at dusk. Last year, thousands of people attended, said Rabbi Moshe Bryski of the Chabad of the Conejo.

The event begins at 10 a.m. and continues until after 5 p.m. Entry is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Parking is free.

Calamigos Ranch is at Mulholland Highway, off Kanan Road, south of the Ventura Freeway. For information or directions, call (818) 991-0991.