Thursday is the first night of Hanukkah, the Jewish holiday that commemorates the Maccabees' triumph over their oppressors in the second century B.C., only to find that the oil to light the candles needed to rededicate the temple had been tainted. Just one night's worth of pure oil remained, but, miraculously, it lasted for eight nights.
Perhaps one of the most visible ceremonies among Jews here is the menoracade — a parade of cars with eight-branched menorahs on top — hosted by Chabad of the Hamptons. It starts at the Chabad, on Woods Lane in East Hampton Village, on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. and concludes at Herrick Park, where there will be an outdoor celebration including Hanukkah treats, candle lighting, and a fire show at 4 p.m. Chabad is also holding a children's Hanukkah celebration this evening from 4:30 to 6:30, limited to 10 children, including a scavenger hunt and dreidel sculptures.
Chabad of Montauk will have a socially distant, outdoor menorah lighting on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Kirk Park.
Temple Adas Israel in Sag Harbor will have an online candle-lighting ceremony Thursday night at 5, and on Sunday there will be a virtual celebration for temple members, again at 5. Next Thursday, the temple is hosting an all-ages, online Hanukkah trivia game at 7 p.m. More information is online at templeadasisrael.org.
The Center for Jewish Life in Sag Harbor will have an online menorah lighting on Saturday at 6 p.m. On Sunday at 4:30 p.m., there will be a special twist on a Hanukkah celebration — an outdoor event featuring the lighting of an ice menorah. Because of Covid-19 restrictions, anyone who wants to attend events at the center must have "clear instructions from a doctor permitting them to be in public." Mask wearing and social distancing are required. Details can be found on the center's website, cfjewishlife.com.
The Jewish Center of the Hamptons has several online Hanukkah events coming up. They include a candle lighting Thursday night at 5 and a candle lighting and Shabbat service Friday at 6 p.m. On Saturday at 5 p.m. the center will mark the symbolic end of Shabbat with a Havdalah ceremony and candle lighting, all online. On Sunday at 4 p.m., via Zoom, Charlotte Sasso will show members how to make latkes. Next week, from Monday through Thursday, there will be additional candle lightings, with a focus on giving back to those in need, all at 5 p.m. via Zoom. Sign-up information is at jcoh.org.
Information for the Conservative Synagogue of the Hamptons was not available by press time this week.
