Menorah

Betty Ross has spent the past few nights with her family and close friends, which has made Hanukkah an already joyous celebration for her. On Friday, the first night of Hanukkah, Ross and her family lit the first candle of their menorah, played with a dreidel, ate potato latkes and opened gifts, she said. But Ross said the highlight of celebrating Hanukkah is being with her daughter and granddaughter. In an effort to extend family time, the Tarzana resident took her granddaughter to the Americana at Brand on Sunday to celebrate Hanukkah, the eight-day Festival of Lights celebrated by Jews around the world.

Interfaith thanksgiving service planned GLENDALE -- An interfaith Thanksgiving service involving Christian and Jewish congregations from all over Glendale will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Temple Sinai of Glendale. Leading the service will be Tad Callister of the Glendale Church of Latter-day Saints. Music will be performed by the Character and Ethics Kids, directed by Jennifer Russell. An offering will also be taken in support of World AIDS Day. Temple Sinai is at 1212 N. Pacific Ave. Child care is available with reservations.

Hanukkah, the eight-day Festival of Lights celebrated by Jews around the world, began Friday. Families across the region will gather around to light one candle of the menorah and recite blessings to God to commemorate an improbable victory over invaders who debased the temple in Jerusalem. Hanukkah this year begins and ends on the Jewish Sabbath, requiring minor liturgical changes. Still, holiday traditions of candles, gifts and jelly doughnuts will stay the same. The following celebrations are planned across Glendale, Burbank and the foothills: Chabad Burbank Jewish Center: Hanukkah celebrations at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Jewish Center, and 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Burbank Town Center.

The Catholic Church last weekend held the 77th annual Guadalupe Procession, in which runners carried a torch 2,700 miles from Mexico to the United States in honor of the Virgin Mary. The torch, participants said, symbolizes hope for the poor and the light of God. What is the religious, or even secular, symbol that inspires you the most?   The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah begins this Sunday evening, and its primary symbol is the menorah. This symbol is very important to me, and its message is as powerful and relevant today as it was when the historical events of Hanukkah transpired more than 2,000 years ago. The mighty Seleucid Empire attempted to squelch religious freedom by persecuting the Jewish people in ancient Israel.

Hebrew songs filled the air Sunday as Jews and non-Jews spun dreidels, made crafts and listened to stories to celebrate the start of Hanukkah at the Americana at Brand. The celebration, one of many to be held in both Glendale and Burbank during the eight days of Hanukkah, marked the start of the festive holiday with the lighting of the first lamp on a 12-foot electrical menorah, which was placed next to the shopping center’s fountain and near its 100-foot Christmas tree. “It’s the first time they’re doing this, which is really special, especially for the Jewish community,” said Rabbi Simcha Backman, of the Chabad Jewish Center of Glendale, adding that the Americana had organized the event as an attempt to reach out to the community and later invited the center to participate.

Rima Shah It takes just a small light to dispel darkness from the world, and in the same way, it takes just a small gesture to make the world a better place. That was the message Rabbi Simcha Backman wanted to give the world, or at least the shoppers and members of his congregation at the Glendale Galleria, who had gathered with him Sunday to light the Menorah outside Mervyn's department store. "The entire message of Hanukkah shows people that a little light can dispel darkness," said Backman of the Chabad of Glendale and the Foothill communities.

Judy Seckler GLENDALE -- Jewish homes will light up the first candles of Hanukkah at sundown tonight. Hanukkah is known as the Feast of Dedication. It celebrates the rededication of the ancient Temple of Jerusalem, when a small group of Jews fought off the attacks of a large group of enemies wishing to impose their own religion on the Jewish people. Several celebrations in the area have been planned. Congregation Hugat Haverim of Burbank will hold a pot luck Hanukkah dinner at 6:30 p.m. Friday at a private home.

DOWNTOWN - Even though Rabbi Simcha Backman settled into Glendale this week, he already felt right at home with the city's Jewish community Sunday at the lighting of the giant menorah at the Glendale Galleria. "Look at all these people," Backman said of the more than 100 people gathered. "It's wonderful." The menorah lighting was part of a Hanukkah celebration organized by the newly established Chabad of Glendale and chabad houses in Burbank and Greater Los Feliz.

Temple Sinai of Glendale Chanukah Dinner & Party Dec. 21 6 to 8:30 p.m. Hanukkah, known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day holiday which commemorates the victory of the Maccabees against persecution, the re-dedication of the Jerusalem Temple and the miracle of the oil that burned there for eight days. This year, Hanukkah begins at sundown on Dec. 21. The annual Temple Sinai of Glendale Hanukkah Dinner and Party will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 21. Guests will enjoy such traditions as eating latkes (potato pancakes)