Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By richards on December 27, 2014

South Bay residents of all faiths are invited to celebrate the promise of light and spiritual growththis Sundayat the Hermosa Beach Pier.

The event marks the first time a public menorah will be lit at the pier in Hermosa Beach, and the largest local public celebration of the season, complete with live music, gifts for every child, arts and crafts, hot latkes (fried potato pancakes) and donuts, a childrens choir, balloon creations, face-painting, juggling and a stilt walker. The event is free, thanks to the Jewish Community Center and Temple Shalom of the South Bay. It beginsSunday, Dec. 21, at3:45 p.m., and organizers promise fun for the whole family.

Sundaysevent is not the only local celebration of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights that celebrates how the miraculous oil kept candles burning for eight nights as recounted in the Talmud. Other menorah lighting ceremonies will take place throughout the South Bay, one or two for every night of Hanukkah exceptFridayandSaturdayfor the Shabbat. Tuesdaynight marked the first night of Hanukkah with a menorah lighting at Redondo Beach City Hall. However, the lighting in Hermosa Beach will be the biggest celebration.

Rabbi Yossi Mintz started lighting public menorahs when he first came to the Jewish Community Center Chabad in Redondo Beach 18 years ago. Initially, the public lighting took place in Manhattan Beach at the Village Mall, but it has grown throughout the years to include more of the South Bay cities and community members.

Mintz said the message is universal, and residents from all religious backgrounds are welcome at the ceremony. Jews attend as a nod to their heritage and to celebrate as a community, while many others attend to learn more about Judaism and the symbolism and uplifting promise of Hanukkah.

To me, the beauty about doing the public menorahs is that its a lot deeper, the message, said Mintz. Its not just a Jewish message. Its a message for everybody. The beauty about Hanukkah is, its the lighting of the world with light. What does light represent? Light represents joy, happiness.

He said that in times of war and strife and polarization, that message is especially important.

The main thing about light is that it has the power to overtake darkness with tremendous power, Mintz said.

The tradition of lighting the candles of the menorah right at dusk allows families to reflect on the importance and beauty of light and hopeinspiration, happiness, goodness and kindness, according to Mintz, right at the time it is needed most.

The eight candles represent not only the history of the Maccabean Revolt and the candle that burned for eight nights with only enough olive oil for one night, but an idea of growth and striving to be better. The celebration begins with one candle and the shamashthe helper candle, and each night one additional candle is burned until all eight are lit.

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Hanukkah festival will bring light and joy to Hermosa Beach Pier

Category: Talmud
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