Free menorah-lighting events to celebrate Hanukkah coming up in Modesto
Hanukkah celebrations kick off in Modesto with three free community menorah lighting celebrations beginning Sunday.
Sunday is the first day of the eight-day Jewish holiday intended to recognize the resiliency of the Jewish people and highlight their overcoming the Greco-Syrian army after the desecration of a temple in Jerusalem. The final day of Hanukkah is nightfall on Monday, Dec. 22.
Rachel Roseman, director of education at Congregation Beth Shalom in Modesto, said CBS will host three free community events in Modesto to celebrate, with the final one Saturday, Dec. 20, which will include a concert.
“So, you’re supposed to put the menorah in your windows so that people can see that we’re remembering the miracles of the season,” Roseman said. “We’re kind of taking that a little step further by having the menorah totally in public.”
In McHenry Village on Sunday, starting at 4:30 p.m., a menorah lighting event will include candles, singing and dreidels. Dreidels are wooden or clay spinning tops dthat are part of a game, often in association with the holiday.
On Tuesday, there will be another community lighting ceremony at Tenth Street Plaza, beginning at 6 p.m.
“The major commandment for Jews on Hanukkah is to light candles as a witness to the ongoing struggle for freedom and a commitment to that religious freedom,” Roseman said.
The last community event will be a Dec. 20 menorah lighting at Queen Bean from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by a concert. Roseman said her band The Shamash Sound, which includes Eli Lester and David Rogers from the band Big Earl and the Cryin’ Shame, will play.
“This year we’ll be on their new stage area, so they can hold more people there. It will be our biggest event,” Roseman said.
Congregation Beth Shalom has held community menorah lighting events for the last 10 or 12 years, Roseman said.
