Mchenry County Jewish Congregation Celebrates Hanukkah

A light in the darkness: That's how McHenry County Jewish Congregation Rabbi Tom Samuels described Hanukkah. "It represents a point of light in the midst of the darkness," Samuels said. "It's very important." Hanukkah, or the festival of lights, is an eight-day Jewish celebration. It often is celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, fried food, games and gifts, Samuels said. Samuels said the Hebrew word for Hanukkah means “dedication.” The festivities commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem when Jews, led by Judah the Maccabee, defeated the Greeks more than 2,000 years ago. According to tradition, when Jews tried to light the temple's menorah, they only found a single container of oil that had not been defiled by the Greeks.