CHANUKAH CELEBATIONS 5771-2010
Chanukah is an eight day minor but fun and important holiday on the Jewish calendar, celebrated first and foremost at home by lighting the candles each night. Check out our special holiday section here for enjoyment for the whole family and to help enrich your understanding. In additon, it is a wonderful time for community and family.
We invite you to join us in celebrating the bright and special holiday, at one of our events, below.
Click here for Chanukah Photos 5771 - 2010
Click here for the article in OC Register and see below for a brief press write up.
CHANUKAH CELEBRATIONS REVIEW
LOCAL RESIDENTS CELEBRATE CHANUKAH WITH CHOCOLATE GELT MENORAH
Last Thursday, on the second night of Chanukah, residents of RSM, Trabuco Canyon and the surrounding areas gathered for the third consecutive year for a community Chanukah celebration and public menorah lighting.
Sponsored by Chabad Jewish Center of RSM, a specially featured chocolate-gelt menorah glittered gold and silver upon 150 celebrators stretched across the plaza at Mercado Del Lago shopping center. Face-painting and dreidel-cookie decorating engaged happy children, while adults relaxed and socialized over sips of hot cocoa and nibbles of potato latkes. A festive mood pervaded the balmy evening, with music and dancing and holiday singing. Before lighting the candles, Rabbi Kantor shared a Chanukah message:
“We celebrate not so much the miracle of the military victory but that of the oil that burned for eight days. This is because the pagan Syrian-Greeks of that time opposed and oppressed not the physical existence of the Jewish people but their freedom of spirit, their purity of faith and soul. The discovery of the miraculous cruse of oil, untouched and untainted, lends a universal timeless message to mankind: there is a pure beautiful treasure within each individual that only needs to be discovered and kindled.”
Colored candles lit up the dark night as participants lingered on in the plaza, eventually drifting off one by one in the warm glow of holiday spirit and community belonging.
Many thanks to all those who voluteered their time and skill to make this event come together.
Chanukah Family Shabbat Dinner
Registration reached capacity at the Shabbat Chanukah dinner. While guests enjoyed a delicious menu the room was abuzz with animated conversation, traditional Shabbat song, L’chaim’s and more.
A special Chanukah game brought participants to noisy laughter and fun; a poignant Chanukah story set in a frigid Siberian gulag brought the room to a palpable still. A warm and delightful ambience and family friendly, with great community spirit.
In the words of participants: "Delicious meal and warm and beautiful Shabbat/Chanukah evening..." "Thank you and your family for an amazing evening..."
Next community Shabbat dinner February 4.
