Jewish Federation to display 9-foot menorah during Hanukkah

Jewish Federation to display 9-foot menorah during Hanukkah | The eight-day Jewish holiday begins this year at sundown on Dec. 14.

During the eight days of Hanukkah, the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation will display a 9-foot hanukkiah, or menorah, in front of the Jewish Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane, Youngstown.

Hanukkah begins this year at sundown on Dec. 14. Hanukkah (or Chanukah) is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly hanukkiah (or menorah) lighting, special prayers and fried foods. A nine-branched candelabrum, or hanukkiah, is lit on Hanukkah. One candle, the shamas, is used to light the others.

Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple after the Maccabean Revolt, when Jews rose up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors. It also celebrates the miracle of light, when the oil in the menorah in the Second Temple stayed lit for eight days, even though there was only enough oil for one day.

The Youngstown Area Jewish Federation is the umbrella organization for several agencies, including Senior Living by Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown, the Jewish Community Relations Council and Jewish Family & Community Services. The Federation works to promote the welfare of the Jewish people, locally, nationally, and overseas. For more information, visit jewishyoungstown.org.

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