Jewish holiday begins tonight at sundown

Hanukkah, the eight-day Festival of Lights, begins tonight at sundown and will continue until sundown Sat., Dec. 19.

Temple Ner Ami will celebrate Hanukkah on Fri., Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. The celebration is open to the public, and all are invited to bring their menorahs to the event. Temple Ner Ami is at 4098 Calle Tesoro, Ste. D, in Camarillo.

For more information, call (805) 388-3824.

As part of its Hanukkah celebration, Chabad of Camarillo will host a giant menorah lighting in Constitution Park on Carmen Drive on Sat., Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. Camarillo Mayor Kevin Kildee will light the candles to commemorate the second night of the Jewish holiday.

The outdoor event will also include a tightrope walker and a juggling show.

During the eight-day holiday, candles are lit at sundown to commemorate the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem some 2000 years ago.

The holiday also celebrates the miracle of one day’s worth of pure ritual oil that miraculously burned for eight days until a new supply could be brought to the Temple.

“The message of Chanukah is one of hope in the face of extreme adversity,” said Rabbi Aryeh Lang, executive director of Chabad of Camarillo. “It’s a message with broad appeal to everyone who believes that a little bit of light can overcome a lot of darkness.”

For information about Chabad, please call Rabbi Yosef Muchnik at (805) 383-7882 or e-mail him info@chabadcamarillo.com.