Celebrate the lighting of the Menorah for Chanukah, the Festival of Lights. The eight-day Jewish holiday begins at sundown on Saturday, December 8th.  The holiday commemorates the miracle of a day's worth of oil which somehow continued to burn for 8 days, lighting a temple and becoming a symbol of hope.   Jewish children receive gifts for Chanukah – often one gift for each of the eight nights of the holiday.

Whether you spell it "Hanukah," "Hanukkah" or "Chanukah," the holiday is celebrated with these traditions.   Lighting the menorah- a candle is lit each of the eight nights to commemorate the miracle of the oil.  Spinning the dreidel - The four-sided top with Hebrew letters written on each side. Gelt, which are chocolate coins covered with tin foil, are part of this game.  Eating fried foods - It is traditional to eat fried foods such as latkes and sufganiyot during the holiday. Latkes are pancakes made out of potatoes and onions, which are fried in oil and then served with applesauce. Sufganiyot are jelly-filled donuts that are fried and sometimes dusted with confectioners’ sugar before eating.

Here are some local Chanukah celebrations:

• St. James 
  At the triangle at Lake Avenue and Route 25A.  Candles will be lit at 5:30PM each day.  Special treats and song sheets will be given out each night.  Please bring a donation of canned food or a non-perishable item to stock the shelves of a local food pantry.  They are also asking for unwrapped toy donations.
• Kings Park
  Veteran's Plaza at the Library Hanukkah Festival Sunday, December 9th at 11AM.
• Nesconset
  Menorah Lighting inside the Gazebo Thursday, December 13th at 6 p.m. Festivities include raffles of gifts and bicycles, gilded chocolates, hot chocolate, cookies and a musical performance by children.
• Massapequa
  The ceremony will be at Congregation Beth-El - Lighting of the first candle and presentation of Jewish Festival of Rededication.
• Ronkonkoma 
  Raynor Beach Park at 5PM on December 8th. Enjoy hot laktes and Chanukah gelt.
• Babylon
  The ceremony will be held at Congregation Beth Sholom - Lighting at 6PM on Saturday, December 8th.
• Valley Stream
  The ceremony will be held at the LIRR Station on Sunrise Highway, where there is a spectacular Giant Menorah. Saturday, December 8th at 6PM.
• Jericho
  Ice Menorah Carving & Lighting in the Whole Foods Parking Lot. Music, latkes and 6-foot ice menorah. 3:30-5:30PM on Sunday, December 9th.
• Plainview
  Grand Menorah Lighting at Shoprite Mall, S. Oyster Bay Rd. 6:50 p.m. Sunday, December 9th.
• Greenlawn
  The ceremony will be held at the Post Office,  on Broadway and Smith Street. Lighting at 7PM  on Tuesday, December 11th.

Let us know where you celebrate Chanukah on Long Island.com Forum