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Letter to the editor

Hanukkah events

By Times Staff Writer
Published December 5, 2007

Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, began at sundown Tuesday and will feature eight days of commemorations - both public and private, as well as traditional and modern - recalling a victory more than two millenia ago of a spiritually strong people over their enemies. Here's a sample of what's coming up this week locally:

- In Safety Harbor, a community-wide Hanukkah celebration with singing, dancing and latkes will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Taste Cafe, 500 Main St. There will be a disc jockey, a live band and a menorah lighting led by Rabbi Stephen Moch. You do not need to be Jewish to take part in the event. Admission is free. Bring a candle.

- In what may be an even bigger celebration, the Tampa Bay Lightning has designated Thursday - when the Lightning take the ice against the Carolina Hurricanes - as its first-ever Jewish Heritage Night in celebration of the third night of Hanukkah. The festivities include an all-kosher food section in section 310 and a pre-game lighting of the Menorah at 7 p.m. on the plaza outside the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa.

- Young Israel-Chabad of Pinellas County hosts a Chanukah on Ice celebration, 5:30-7 p.m. Sunday at the Westfield Countryside mall skating rink in Clearwater. The event is free and open to adults and children, with skating around a 9-foot menorah to contemporary Jewish music and classic Hanukkah songs, with doughnuts, latkes and drinks. A menorah lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. will be followed by distribution of Hanukkah gelt and goods to children. RSVP online at www.yichabad.com.

[Last modified December 4, 2007, 21:33:38]