Community Corner

Yorktown Celebrates Chanukah, Lights Second Menorah Candle [Photos]

Temple Beth Am lights the second candle of the menorah at the Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown.

Members of Yorktown's  gathered in the upper level of the Wednesday night to celebrate the festival of lights and light the second candle on the menorah.

About 50 adults and children sang songs and the kids received bags of candy at the end of the celebration. 

"We see it as a community event to sing together and light the candle," said rabbi Robert Weiner, who played his guitar. 

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Chanukah is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt about 2,000 years ago, during the second century BCE.

According to legend, the Jews arrived at the Temple prepared to rededicate it, only to find one small jar of oil to keep the menorah in the Temple lit. Miraculously, the contents of that jar burned not for one day as they had expected, but for eight days, giving them enough time to replenish their stock of flame-fuel to keep it lit indefinitely.

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The candles, which families light during the holiday, are to celebrate the miracles, Weiner said. 

Tamar Brooks, who was at the candle lighting with her two daughters, said she enjoyed celebrating the traditions and passing them onto the next generation. Jay Gussak said his favorite part of the holiday are the latkes with sour cream, lighting the candles and giving gifts to his kids. 

"They know it's not just the presents, but they're part of the whole tradition," he said. 

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