Santa Monica’s holiday celebrations are going strong this week with the Hanukkah season powering festivities into the new year.
While Dec. 25 may be the culmination of the Christmas season, this year it’s also the start of Hanukkah and the Festival of Lights will run through New Year’s Day (Jan. 1).
Hanukkah marks a miracle experienced by early Jews during conflict with the Ancient Greeks. When Jewish practices were outlawed and temples desecrated a small group of Jews led by Judah Maccabee revolted against this religious persecution. After reclaiming Jerusalem they only had enough oil to light the menorah for one day. However, the oil burned for eight days until and the miracle inspired the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights.
This year’s celebration comes as controversy and conflict persist following the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks in Israel. The ongoing war has filtered into discussion far beyond its borders, influencing the recent U.S. Presidential election and prompting increased concern among locals on both sides of the issue.
Rabbi Eli Levitansky with Chabad in S. Monica said the holiday’s origins in conflict continue to resonate today.
The reality is that the Jews are being attacked, no matter what their political opinion is or their observance,” he said. “So it is, and hence the holiday of Hanukkah represents our ability to stand up against these people that attack us, that tried to attack us, and to withstand, persevere and despite, and maybe in spite of them, to continue to grow in our faith and traditions.”
As is tradition, Downtown Santa Monica will host a nightly Menorah lighting at sundown. Residents are invited to celebrate the Festival of Lights with nightly menorah lightings, hosted by a different group each evening and officials said this special event brings unique programs that honor Hanukkah traditions, right in the heart of Santa Monica.
On the first night, participants can expect a hearty celebration with music, latkes (potato pancakes), hot chocolate and an abundance of joy.
DTSM isn’t the only Menorah in town and the nearby Santa Monica Place will also host a nightly lighting through Jan. 1 as will several local businesses who display menorahs on roofs, parking lots and store windows.
To mark the end of the holiday, Chabad of Santa Monica is hosting the final night of Hanukkah at the end of the Santa Monica Pier via their mobile menorah.
The bike-mounted menorah will pedal to the end of the Pier and will illuminate the final light to the backdrop of the sun setting over the ocean.
Rabbi Menachem Levitansky said it’s a beautiful ceremony in a beautiful location.
“I like to say that it’s the closing out at sunset, the tradition is as it becomes night, the symbol in general of the menorah and Hanukkah is to bring light into the darkness,” he said. “So as the sun sets we light the menorah to bring that light into the darkness and it comes in all kinds of shapes and formulas, not just night, everyone has their own darkness and the menorah is to shine the light and it continues on to burn bright to bring the light to the world.”
Rabbi Eli Levitansky said while locals have always been welcoming to the Menorahs, the mobile menorah also attracts the city’s visitor population.
“Part of the Hanukkah experience we have, as an example, a mobile menorah that we have on a bike,and we drive it around, especially downtown, and people come over from all walks of life, asking about what it is, and discussing and appreciating the fact that it’s there, and getting to know about the different culture or belief that they haven't seen yet or had any experience with,” he said.
He said the educational opportunity is a foundational part of the holiday.
“Back to what I said initially, that is part of the holiday Hanukkah, it is to bring light into a place of darkness,” he said. “And there is so much good in the world. However, the fact is that, unfortunately, there is much darkness, in the both in the spiritual sense and then on a physical, emotional, psychological sense, and when you share the message of the menorah, of which is to do another act of goodness and kindness, that's a light that has a ripple effect to people around you. When you do something good, people see that, and they reciprocate, and that brings a tremendous amount of good and light into the world that's applicable to everybody.”
He said while this is the busy season for Chabad, they are still available to the community if they need help over the holiday. He said they routinely visit convalescent homes in the area and they will make visits to those that need it.
For more information on Chabad, visit https://www.jewishsmonica.com/.
