Congregation hits the road to share light of Hanukkah with public across Modesto region
Modesto’s Congregation Beth Shalom will celebrate Hanukkah with its annual public menorah lightings in communities across the region.
Everyone is invited to the lightings, which take place on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, according to CBS Rabbi Shalom Bochner.
During the events, candles on a 5-foot-tall menorah are lighted, there is singing, distribution of chocolate coins and dreidels, along with teachings or stories that offer context to the holiday, Bochner said.
He said the lightings are attended by Jewish and non-Jewish people, “so it becomes an educational event and not just a cultural celebration.”
CBS has been holding the menorah lightings for eight years, Bochner said. The first one at Modesto’s Tenth Street Plaza was so successful, “I thought, ‘Well, maybe we should take them on the road.’”
This year, lightings will take place nightly in different communities from Manteca to Merced and will conclude with a Hasidic rock concert by the band Ferris Wheels on Dec. 25.
“That, I’m particularly excited about,” said Bochner, who is the drummer in Ferris Wheels.
Hanukkah celebrates the victory of the Maccabees in their struggle for religious freedom. It begins the evening of Sunday, Dec. 18, and ends at sunset Monday, Dec. 26.
The final night for lighting menorahs is Dec. 25, Bochner said.
Because that final night falls on Christmas, Bochner said, it was the perfect chance to expand the event and hold the concert for those who do not celebrate that holiday.
“There’s not much open on Dec. 25,” he said.
Here’s when and where the lightings are planned to take place:
Sunday, Dec. 18: Manteca Library Park, 320 W. Center St., 5:15 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 19: Vintage Faire Mall, 3401 Dale Road, Modesto, 5:15 p.m. (outside near the Apple Store)
Tuesday, Dec. 20: The Park at Modesto, 2832 Healthcare Way, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 20: Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto, 6:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 21: Central Park, downtown Turlock, 5:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 21: Bob Hart Square, 510 West Main St., Merced, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 22: Gene Bianchi Center, 110 Second Ave., Oakdale, 5:15 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 23: Congregation Beth Shalom, 1705 Sherwood Ave., Modesto, 5:15 p.m. With a dreidel tournament and Hanukkah party at 6 p.m. Shabbat services at 7 p.m. and a latke dinner (RSVP required, $15 for dinner)
Saturday, Dec. 24: Congregation Beth Shalom, 6 p.m. Havdalah and candle lighting at First Responders Dinner.
Sunday, Dec. 25: Tenth Street Plaza, Modesto, 4:30 p.m., followed by a concert by Ferris Wheels. (Will move to CBS social hall in the event of wet weather). This is a community event not sponsored by Congregation Beth Shalom.
Friday, Dec. 27: McHenry Village, 1700 McHenry Ave., Modesto, 4:15 p.m.
For more information, call 209-571-6060 or see www.cbsmodesto.org.
Chabad of Modesto, which according to its website is “dedicated to enhancing and enriching Jewish life throughout Modesto,” also is having a menorah lighting outdoors at McHenry Village on Dec. 21 at 4:30 p.m. The event includes music, crafts, latkes, jelly doughnuts and more, and admission is free.
There also will be a menorah parade (a parade of vehicles with rooftop-mounted electric menorahs) on Dec. 20 starting at Chabad of Modesto, 1629 College Ave., at 4 p.m.
To learn more, email chabadofmodesto@gmail.com, call 718-407-9762 or visit www.facebook.com/ChabadofModesto.
This story was originally published December 12, 2022 at 4:00 AM.
