Marking the first time Hanukkah has begun on Christmas since 2005, Jews gathered at various sites around Los Angeles County on Wednesday, Dec. 25, to celebrate the launch of the “season of light.” Scores more ceremonies will take place in the days ahead around the Southland.
It was the fourth time the two holidays converged since 1900. Hanukkah’s first day also fell on Christmas in 1910, 1921 and 1959.
At Pasadena City Hall, Chabad of Pasadena invited anyone to partake in its annual “Grand Menorah Lighting.”
In a city celebrating roses this time of year, celebrants helped decorate a floral Menorah in an early evening ritual that radiated the ideals of Judaism on the first of eight days of Hanukkah.
The festive ritual on Wednesday included arts and crafts, live music, jelly donuts — a treat eaten around the world at Hanukkah — hot latkes and even some Hanukkah “swag.”
Long Beach’s Aquarium of the Pacific celebrated Hanukkah with a special event on Saturday, Dec. 21.
The event, one of several in the aquarium’s holiday event series — which featured other celebrations for Christmas and Kwanzaa — focused on telling the story of Hanukkah.
Why is Hanukkah so late this year? The simple answer is that the Jewish calendar is based on lunar cycles, and is not in sync with the Gregorian calendar, which sets Christmas on Dec. 25. Hanukkah always begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, a date which occurs between late November and late December on the Gregorian calendar.
The last time Hanukkah began on Christmas Day was in 2005. But the term “Chrismukkah” — signifying the overlap of the two holidays — had become a popular term before then. The term gained extra currency in 2003, when the character Seth Cohen on the TV drama “The O.C.” embraced the fusion holiday as a tribute to his Jewish father and Protestant mother.
Hanukkah has a rich history. Once the Jews defeated the Hellenist Syrian forces of Antiochus IV in 165 B.C. at the end of a three-year rebellion, the temple in Jerusalem, which the occupiers had dedicated to the worship of Zeus, was rededicated by Judah Maccabee, who led the insurgency begun by his father, the high priest Mattathias.
According to the story of Hanukkah, Maccabee and his soldiers wanted to light the temple’s ceremonial lamp with ritually pure olive oil as part of their rededication but found only enough oil to burn for one day. The oil, however, burned for eight days in what was considered to be a miracle.
Hanukkah — which means “dedication” in Hebrew — is observed around the world by lighting candles in a special menorah called a Hanukkiah each day at sundown for eight days, with an additional candle added each day.
The reason for the lights is so passersby should see them and be reminded of the holiday’s miracle.
Other Hanukkah traditions include spinning a dreidel, a four-sided top, which partially commemorates a game that Jews under Greek domination are believed to have played to camouflage their Torah study, and eating foods fried in oil, such as latkes, pancakes of grated raw potatoes and jelly doughnuts.
Children receive Hanukkah “gelt” (the Yiddish word for money) from parents and grandparents. The tradition originated with 17th-century Polish Jews giving money to their children to give to their teachers during Hanukkah, which led to parents also giving children money.
In the United States, the practice has evolved into giving holiday gifts to children and others.
A series of eight menorah lightings on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica were scheduled in Santa Monica. Wednesday’s lighting was organized by Chabad of Santa Monica.
Free public menorah lightings will be held Thursday at Third Street Promenade at 4:30 p.m., The Culver Steps in Culver City at 5 p.m., and the Fairmont Century Plaza and Redondo Beach Civic Center at 5:30 p.m.
And there are many more, of course, but here is a sampling of other Hanukkah events in L.A. County:
–Chanukah at the Shoppes – Westlake Village: Chabad of the Conejo leads the event with blessings and menorah lighting, Cantor Kenny Ellis mini-concert, sweet treats, Hanukkah craft activities for children, and a circus act by Alex Bistrevsky, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 26. Location, 30770 Russell Ranch Road. Information: shoppesatwestlakevillage.com or www.chabadconejo.com/chanukah
–Chanukah Celebration in Granada Hills: Chabad of Northridge presents the menorah lighting, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 26. Veterans Memorial, corner of Chatsworth Street and Zelzah Avenue, Granada Hills. 818-493-9250. Information: tinyurl.com/mwyet8je
–Hanukkah in the Foothills: The ninth annual event, 5 p.m. Dec. 28. Elks Lodge, 10137 Commerce Ave., Tujunga. Flyer on the Temple Beth Emet. Information: www.templebethemet.com
–Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Gelt Drop: Chabad of Toluca Lake presents the event that includes latkes and doughnuts, live music and the “gelt drop,” 3:30 p.m. Dec. 29. Register in advance for a free raffle ticket (on the website). Event location, Chase Bank, parking lot, 10550 Riverside Drive, Toluca Lake. Information: www.chabadoftolucalake.com or www.chabadoftolucalake.com/events
–Hanukkah Menorah Lighting at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library: Chabad of Simi Valley partners with the museum for the outdoor event that includes a children’s craft activity, Klezmer music and Hanukkah treats, 3:30-5 p.m. Dec. 29. Free to attend. Note: The museum closes at 5 p.m. 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley. Information: Chabad of Simi Valley, 805-577-0573 or www.reaganfoundation.org/programs-events/events-calendar/menorah-lighting-2024/
–Chabad of Chatsworth’s Chanukah Menorah Lighting and Gelt Drop: Learn about Hanukkah at the event that includes blessings and lighting the menorah, doughnuts and latkes, children’s craft activities, face painting, entertainment and the “gelt drop,” 4:30 p.m. Dec. 29. Chabad of Chatsworth, 20735 Devonshire St. Information, 818-368-3937. Information: tinyurl.com/3w2k9byd
–Chanukah Wonderland: Chabad of the Conejo presents the celebration that includes a menorah lighting, buffet dinner, create your own menorah or dreidel, a Judah the Macabee photo booth, and a DJ, 4:30 p.m. Dec. 30. Admission $25; $12 children. Reservations required in advance; make a reservation by phone or on the website. Agoura Hills Event Center, 29900 Ladyface Court, Agoura Hills. 818-991-0991. Information: chabadconejo.com/chanukah
–Car Top Menorah Parade and Hanukkah Party: Chabad of Northridge holds the Hanukkah celebration, 6 p.m. Dec. 30. Make a reservation in advance to attend and to find out how get a “car top menorah” for the parade. The party follows at 7 p.m. at 17142 Devonshire St., Northridge. Information: www.chabadnorthridge.com/carmenorah
–Hanukkah Menorah Lighting at Burbank Town Center: Rabbi Janet Bieber, from Temple Beth Emet in Burbank, leads the event, 6 p.m. Dec. 30. Location, 201 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. Information: 818-566-8556 or www.burbanktowncenter.com/events
–Hanukkah Menorah Lighting – Calabasas: The Commons at Calabasas hosts the event, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 30. The event includes live music, Hanukkah food treats and a fireworks finale. Calabasas Civic Center Plaza, adjacent to the Commons, 100 Civic Center Way, Calabasas. Information: shopcommons.com
The Associated Press and City News Service contributed to this report.