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Chanukah candle-lighting event returns to downtown Turlock
Chanukah
Congregation Beth Shalom will host a candle lighting event at 5:15 p.m. Dec. 21 in downtown Turlock’s Central Park, corner of E. Main Street and S. Golden State Boulevard (Journal file photo).

Congregation Beth Shalom will once again offer public Menorah lighting events all over the region for the eight nights of the Chanukah holiday this year. 

Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a minor Jewish holiday celebrating the victory of the Maccabees in their struggle for religious freedom in 164 BCE. This year Chanukah runs from Sunday through Dec. 25.

  • The first night of Chanukah event will be held at 5:15 p.m. Sunday at the Downtown Manteca Library Park, corner of W. Yosemite Avenue and Manteca Avenue.
  • The second night of Chanukah event will be held at 5:15 p.m. Monday at the Vintage Faire Mall near the Apple store.
  • The third night event will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday at The Park at Modesto Independent Living, 2832 Healthcare Way, Modesto and at 6:15 p.m. at the Gallo Center for the Arts in downtown Modesto.
  • The fourth night event will be held at 5:15 p.m. Dec. 21 in downtown Turlock’s Central Park, corner of E. Main Street and S. Golden State Boulevard and at 7:30 p.m. at Bob Heart Square in downtown Merced, 510 W. Main St.
  • The fifth night event will be held at 5:15 p.m. Dec. 22 at the Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. 2nd St., Oakdale.
  • The sixth night event will be held at 4:15 p.m. Dec. 23 at McHenry Village near the clock tower, 1700 McHenry Ave., Modesto.  After the public lighting event on Dec. 26, there will be a Chanukah party at Congregation Beth Shalom with dreidel games at 5 p.m., followed by Shabbat Chanukah Services and at 6 p.m. and a Latke dinner at 7 p.m. The temple is located at 1705 Sherwood Ave., Modesto.
  • The seventh night will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 24 at Congregation Beth Shalom, along with a First Responders Dinner. For more than 10 years, the congregation has hosted First Responders Dinners over the holiday for police officers, fire fighters, emergency responders and those who are home-bound. The First Responders Dinners are part of the congregation’s commitment to Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and making the world a better place for everybody.
  • The eighth night will be held at 4 p.m. Dec. 25 at 10th Street Plaza in downtown Modesto with a Chanukah concert featuring the Ferris Wheels.