Ohr Chadash Academy Lights First Lamp at The Chanukah House

Rabbi Akevy Greenblatt, principal, lights the menorah Saturday in Pikesville, marking the first night of the Festival of Lights.

Hanukkah Is Time for Reflection, Hope

Hanukkah starts at sundown Saturday and ends the evening of Dec. 16. Here is a look at the origins of the holiday, and its meaning today.

Editor's Note: This is one of the first articles to appear in Pikesville Patch when we were a new publication in 2010. Enjoy! Most residents of Pikesville will settle in at home this evening to celebrate Hannukah, the eight-day Festival of Lights. The holiday reminds Jews of miracles, the power of perseverance, and that they are to be lights in the world themselves. David Weisshaar of Pikesville explained that, as Jews light each candle of the menorah—one a day—they are to reflect on Jewish history. "As you add in the lights, you are bringing light into the world," he said. "And as a Jewish person you are supposed to bring light into the world. It has another meaning, too. "We are supposed to look at the light and reflect, think about the …

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UPDATE: 11-Foot Menorah To Shine at The Chanukah House

The Pikesville home holds nightly lamplighting ceremonies during the Festival of Lights. On Monday, the lighting ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m., with Baltimore County and state elected officials.

UPDATE (10 p.m.) Chanukah House will celebrate the Festival of Lights this year with a newly donated 11-foot tall menorah. The house owned by Yitz and Sora Fleischman is being decorated for the holiday and will soon become a center community activity once again. This is the third year the Fleischmans have decorated the outside of their home for the holiday, using the same decorations from the former sponsors who decorated their home on Park Heights Avenue. During the holiday, that begins Saturday, neighborhood parents and children walk to the Fleischmans' house to view the festive decorations. People from out of town drive by or visit as well. Each night of the eight-night holiday dozens of people gather to watch the menorah lamp lighting …

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How to Light the Menorah for Festival of Lights

Review some customs for celebrating the miracle of Hanukkah, from Dec. 8 to Dec. 16, including lighting the first candle of the menorah nightfall Dec. 8.