Share the Lights

MONROE — The Hudson Valley community is invited to celebrate the Hanukkah, Miracle of Lights, at Congregation Eitz Chaim/Monroe-Woodbury Jewish Community Center on Tuesday, Dec. 11, beginning at 6 p.m.

Hanukkah is a minor Jewish festival, beginning this year at sundown on Saturday, De. 8. In Hebrew, Hanukkah means “dedication.”

The tradition

The holiday commemorates a victory of the ancient Israelites over the Hellenized Syrian occupiers, in the year 163 BCE.

A small band of Jews, led by Judah Maccabee and his followers, overcame the Syrian-Greeks, who for years, had forbidden Jews their religious practices. After the battles, the Maccabees cleaned up their temple and found only enough oil to re-light the temple menorah for one night.

Tradition tells us that, miraculously, the oil burned instead for eight nights.

Bring your Chanukiah, or candelabra, as the community lights the candles and sing Hanukkah songs, traditional and modern. Dinner and refreshments will follow the candle lighting: bring your appetite for latkes, the traditional fried potato pancake, accompanied by applesauce and sour cream, as well as pasta, quiche and other treats.

Essential information

Suggested donation: $10 per person or $18 per family. This event is open to the public.

Congregation Eitz Chaim /MWJCC is located at 1465 Orange Turnpike, Monroe.

Call Melissa Daley for more information and to make your reservation: 845.783.7424