Hanukkah Festival, Menorah Lighting To Be Held In Alexandria

Jewish nonprofit Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington and Alexandria leaders will hold a Hanukkah festival and Menorah lighting Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 6:30 p.m. at the Lyceum, 201 South Washington Street, Alexandria. The event is free and open to all.

Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg will light the six-foot Menorah, and other local officials will provide greetings. Following the ceremony, the traditional Hanukkah foods of hot potato pancakes and doughnuts will be handed out. There will also be family entertainment, a free raffle, Hanukkah gifts, treats and music.

Hanukkah—also known as Chanukah—is the eight-day Jewish festival of lights highlighted by the lighting of the Menorah on each night. The Jewish holiday began on Sunday, Dec. 2 and ends on Monday, Dec. 10.

"It is a holiday that enriches our lives with the light of tradition" said Rabbi Mordechai Newman, director of Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington, in a news release. "In ancient times our ancestors rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem with the Menorah. Today, we rededicate ourselves to making this world a better and brighter place."

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