It was a celebration of the feeling of being complete. Rabbi Simcha
Backman of The Chabad Congregation of Glendale and the Foothill
Communities led a ceremony to acknowledge the last night of Hanukkah,
which took place at 5 p.m. Thursday on the lower level of the Glendale
Galleria. The event began with the lighting of the eighth candle of the
Menorah and prayer. Prayers were for the importance of o7 Mitzvotf7 ,
or good deeds done to help perfect the world. Backman also emphasized the
importance of an ultimate goal, which is to work together so that all
people can live in peace and harmony. After the lighting of the eighth
candle on the Menorah, Paul Shusterman sang and played traditional
Hanukkah songs and Jewish folk music on the keyboard. Clowns and face
painters entertained children with balloon animals, while latkes, or
potato pancakes, and donuts were served. A member of The Chabad
Congregation dressed up like Judah the Macabee, who led the Jewish revolt
against the Greeks to regain their temple.
