Hanukkah observances in Santa Rosa

By GUY KOVNER

THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Hanukkah, the Jewish holiday also known as the Festival of Lights, begins Wednesday evening with a series of events commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple of Jerusalem nearly 2,200 years ago.

The eight-day festival is celebrated by the lighting of the menorah, a nine-branched candelabra, one additional light each night of the holiday.

Chabad Center’s series of free “Light Up the Night” events begins at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Whole Foods Market in Sonoma, with the lighting of a nine-foot menorah, entertainment by Saul Kaye, hot latkes (potato pancakes) and dreidel games with prizes for children.

Subsequent celebrations, all at 5 p.m., will be on Thursday at the Village Court in Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa; Sunday at Oakville Grocery in Healdsburg; Monday at Pacific Market in Sebastopol; and Dec. 7 at Oliver’s Market in Cotati.

For more information, call 577-0277 or go to www.JewishSonoma.com.

Other local Hanukkah observances open to the public include:

– Congregation Shomrei Torah Hanukkah Shabbat service for families with menorah lighting, free, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 2600 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. For information, call 578-5519.

– Congregation Beth Ami’s Annual Chanukah Latke Dinner Party, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7, Friedman Center, 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa, with menorah lighting, food, music and folk dancing. Beth Ami members $15 adults, $9 children; non-members $18 and $10. Reservations should be made by Friday; for information, call 360-3000.