The Best of the Best: Where to Celebrate the Festivities of Hanukkah in South Florida

Hanukkah is Jewish holiday,also known as the "Festival of Lights" which lasts for 8 days celebrating the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem during the revolt of the Maccabee's in the second century, BC. The holiday is observed by lighting 8 candles in a special candelabra starting with the one in the center, which then lights one more candle, each night that middle candle lights another and another until the all the candles are burning, symbolizing the fact that there was only enough oil for one night but miraculously the oil burned for 8 nights. This truly is a joyful, meaningful sight and for the children even more fun as they get one little gift for each night. This year Hanukkah starts on the 21st of December, (each year it falls on a different day), so the holiday will be celebrated during the same week as Christmas. We eat latkas, potato pancakes fried in oil, as a symbol of that oil which lasted for 8 days.

For the first time that I can remember in all the years I've lived in Miami, this year there are quite a few interesting and festive Hanukkah celebrations going on all over town, though maybe not as exciting as Christmas lights, with Santa and all the gifts galore, these lighting ceremonies have a deep meaning to those of us of Jewish faith so I thought I would share the events that are going to mark the Holiday Of Lights and maybe bring Hanukkah Harry out on the town for a while.

A Hanukkah SnowfestSnowfest is going to take place on Miami Beach at the Miami Beach Community Center. Each year they have a celebration and this year they are going all out with 12 tons of snow brought in to share the sandy beach. The "Sentinels of Sand Sculptures" will build a sand castle that will be 10 feet by 6 feet which will surround a menorah from 3 - 6 p.m. then will culminate in the Traditional Candle Lighting Ceremony.

These festivities will take place Dec 14th... 4221 Pine tree Drive, Miami Beach. For more information call 305-534 3206

$10.00 admission per family

Hanukkah Candle Lighting and Family FestivalChabadat the Chabad House on Wheelsof the holiday at 6:p.m.

They will be serving potato Latkes, have activities for children, and live music. The 7 foot all Dreidel will delight the youngsters as will all tLatkeser festivities....This is a free event which takes place at the DreidelAvenue Circle on Lincoln Road, Miami Beach

Call 305- 242-2231 or check out www.chabadonwheels.com for more information.

Hanukkah Festival: The Coral Springs Chabad Festival will celebrate the lighting of the candles, with entertainment, rides and even a make your own Latkes eChabadrom 2 - 6 p.m. December 21st on the first night of the holiday.

Chabad of Coral Springs, 3925 N. UniversLatkesive...954-344- 4855. Free

And for those Jewish single men and woman out Chabadin South Florida who want to celebrate both holidays, don't miss the 22nd, annual Matzo Ball.

This occasion is a chance to find romance at the ball, just like Cinderella, well, maybe not exactly, but there will be fun and perhaps passion at this nationwide event for singles only.

The society of Young Jewish Professionals, hosts this Matzo Ball party on December 25th from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. at the Cameo Nightclub, 1445 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach and from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Passions at the Seminole Paradise, 5701 Seminole Way, Hollywood.

$30.00 per person.

For more information or tickets, call 888-633-5326 or check out the website www.matzoball.org.

So there will be something for everyone and every religion here in Miami, Hollywood,and Ft.Lauderdale, to celebrate in festivities of all kinds and for every age, young and old alike.

Have fun, be safe and HaLauderdaleah