It’s the third day of Hanukkah, and there are still several opportunities to celebrate in Chico and the North State.
At 5:30 p.m. today, Dec. 27, at the Chabad Jewish Center in Chico, there will be a candlelit Shabbat dinner featuring traditional foods. All are invited but an RSVP is required.
At 6 p.m., tomorrow, Dec. 28, Chico Havurah is hosting their annual Hanukkah party and potluck at at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Filbert Avenue.
Lori Kligerman, president of Chico Havurah, describes the synagogue as a radically inclusive congregation that welcomes members of all faiths. Kligerman invites all Chico residents to attend gatherings at Havurah, which is Hebrew for fellowship.
The Saturday night potluck will feature latkes and donuts, traditional foods fried in oil. Fried foods commemorate the one day supply of lamp oil that lasted eight days in the Second Temple of Jerusalem, the miracle that Hanukkah celebrates.
Potluck attendees can bring a vegetarian dish, a dish containing fish or eggs, or a dessert if they are able. However, Kligerman emphasized that people are welcome to join the potluck even if they don’t bring food.
At 4:30, on Sunday, Dec. 29, there will be a public menorah lighting in Redding at Whistle Stop Park. It will feature holiday music, donuts, latkes and a raffle.
At 5:30, on Monday, Dec. 30, a menorah parade will start on West 4th Street in Chico. Cars decorated in traditional lights will cruise around downtown to mark the sixth day of Hanukkah.
Finally, at 6 p.m., on Tuesday, Dec. 31, there will be a women’s latke cook-off at the Chabad Jewish Center. This event is meant to focus on the mystical feminine aspects of the holiday. An RSVP is requested for this event.
Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem after it was recaptured from Syrian occupiers. It is observed over eight days, and in the North State there is an opportunity to celebrate the miracle of light on almost every single one of them.
