Countywide : Temples Planning Hanukkah Services

Ventura County temples have planned services and other festivities to commemorate Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish holiday that begins at sundown Sunday.

Hanukkah celebrates the recapture of the temple in Jerusalem from the Syrian Greeks in 165 B.C. According to legend, the Jews found only enough oil to keep the eternal light in the temple burning for one day, but the oil miraculously lasted eight days until a new supply was obtained. The focus of Hanukkah is the lighting of the menorah’s eight candles, one each day.

Chabad of Ventura will light a giant menorah at Buenaventura Plaza in Ventura at 7 p.m. Monday. The ceremony will include Israeli music, gifts for children and holiday food. The temple also will have a service Dec. 8, the last day of Hanukkah, at 6 p.m. at Ojai’s Libbey Park fountain.

Chabad of Conejo has similar services planned at local shopping centers. On Tuesday, a 15-foot menorah will be lighted at The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, the service will be at Mountain Gate Plaza in Simi Valley at 7 p.m.

Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks expects to have 500 to 700 people at a lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. The festivities will include Israeli music, dancing, a mime and food.

Temple Beth Torah in Ventura has a family service planned for 7 p.m. Dec. 6. The Tiger Cub Scouts of Ventura will visit the temple at 3 p.m. Dec. 5 for a program about Hanukkah presented by Rabbi Michael Berk.

Adat Elohim Reform Temple of Conejo in Thousand Oaks will have a service at 8 p.m. Dec. 6, when worshipers will bring menorahs to be lighted.