The dreidels spun by children during the holiday feature a different Hebrew letter on each side, said to spell out the Hebrew acronym for "A great miracle happened here," in reference to the Maccabees' victory, he added.
"This is a joyous, family holiday that celebrates the freedom of being Jewish in a larger culture," Schechter said.
To Leslie Klipstein, a member of the Temple Sinai congregation, the temple's observance is a chance for her family to share their joy of the holiday with their extended Jewish family.
"Hanukkah is a very home-based celebration, and having the opportunity to get together with the whole community makes it a bigger, more festive holiday than just having the four of us at home," said Klipstein, who lives in Arcadia with her husband and their two children.
