Celebrating the Festival of Lights and the Feast of Dedication

The eight nights of celebrating the Festival of Lights in the Jewish faith for the Hanukkah season began at sundown on the 12th. Brightmore held its Annual Lighting of the Menorah with Rabbi Paul from the Temple of Israel. Residents of all faiths, including our Jewish residents, joined in the lobby to listen to Rabbi Paul as he gave us a brief history on the season on Hanukkah. Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. Celebrations that occur include the lighting of the candles of a candelabrum, a 9 branch Hanukkah menorah, singing the blessings each evening, and reciting the Hallel Prayer. Food is also a very important part of the celebration with popular fried foods in oil such as latkes, which are potato pancakes, and sweet jelly donuts. Children enjoy playing the dreidel game throughout the eight days where and gelt, which is money, is given during this festive time! Traditional jelly donuts were made by Chef Taylor as a great ending to a very festive evening that marks the beginning of Hanukkah.