Hanukkah Festival Has Something for Everyone

Organizers of Sunday’s “Chanukah Wonderland” festival had one thing in mind when they created the annual event four years ago.

“We wanted to bring every type of Jew in the world together,” said Rabbi Moshe Bryski, one of the event’s organizers. “It truly does bring the community together. Perhaps many are different in practice, but they’re all here enjoying this.”

The daylong event at scenic Calamigos Ranch outside Agoura Hills, was a celebration of the eight-day Jewish light festival, which commemorates the ancient Jewish fight for religious freedom from the Syrian Greeks and the rededication of the Jerusalem temple in 165 B.C.

Activities included music, rides for children, arts and crafts and an array of educational exhibits.

Hundreds of kids ran around, bundled up against the cold. Many stood in line for elephant and pony rides, and a few toddlers cried on what was perhaps their first spin on a merry-go-round. One 7-year-old boy had his face buried in a large pink wad of cotton candy.

“I really liked the ponies,” he said giggling. “This is fun.”

Several areas, featuring traditional Jewish themes, were created throughout the grounds. Families walked from area to area with map in hand.

Menorah Village had numerous displays of candelabrum with the eight Hanukkah lights; Latke Land had the oil-fried potato pancakes eaten at Hanukkah, and Macabee Land, which featured a small group of holiday heroes. The Macabees were Jewish patriots who, under Judas Macabaeus, headed the successful revolt against the Syrians.

“Every year we come up with different themes,” Bryski said. “We have 400 volunteers, and it takes about three months to put this together.”

Chabad, which sponsored the festival, is an outreach organization that offers educational and social services to Jewish communities worldwide. Its programs include synagogues, crisis counseling, schools and youth outreach centers. Three branches of Chabad--Conejo, Marina and Valley--put on Sunday’s program.

Chanukah Wonderland is one of the group’s most successful events, Bryski said, because it’s fun, educational and helps bolster children’s feelings of Jewish identity and pride.

“I come every year because I like to support Chabad,” said Eileen Eisenberg of Santa Monica. “It’s always great fun.”

Part of the appeal for many of the more than 1,000 in attendance was the location--a 125-acre ranch surrounded by lush rolling hills and large trees.

“We go to a lot of Jewish festivals, and this is your basic festival with good food and music. But the great thing about this one is this beautiful place,” said Cheryl Weinberg of North Hollywood.

She attended with her husband, Phil, and son, Avi, 6. The family agreed that it was worth the drive.

“This locale is particularly conducive to this kind of event,” Phil Weinberg said. “You don’t have to push and shove your way through things. At most festivals like this, you do.”