IMAGE GALLERY: Hanukkah is Observed

Hanukkah is being celebrated this week with several events and dinners.

At the Chabad House Jewish Center in Milford, the observance of the second day of Hanukkah began shortly before sundown Sunday. Rabbi Mendy Kivman said a prayer inside, lighting three candles of the Menorah with the symbolic olive oil, before leading everyone outside to light the large Menorah facing Cedar Street. He spoke of the symbolism of candles as a way of fending off darkness. "The way we chase away darkness is by lighting a candle," he said. The eight-day holiday will be observed in Milford this week with a community dinner and events for families. Earlier Sunday, children from Chabad House participated in a "Build a Menorah" worshop at Home Depot in Bellingham. For more information on the events planned, visit www.gotchabad.com/…

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The Week Ahead in Hanukkah Events

Hanukkah begins at sundown Saturday, and continues for eight days. Here are some of the local events planned.

Hanukkah begins at sundown on Saturday, and several area synagogues are planning to hold events beginning this weekend, and throughout the week ahead. Saturday Menorah Lighting at Draper Memorial Park, 6 p.m. Saturday: Temple Beth Shalom in Milford will host a ceremonial lighting of the first candles on the Menorah. The event is open to the public and will include distribution of gold coins and dreidels and other symbols of Hanukkah. Menorah Lighting at Holliston Town Hall, 6:30 p.m. Saturday: The annual lighting of the Holliston Menorah will be followed by a celebration including hot cocoa, Starbucks coffee, Hanukkah treats, and music. The Hanukkah lights are being lit in honor of Rabbi Gabie and Rivky Holtzberg, who were murdered at …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: Dec. 20

Tonight is the first night of Chanukah.

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. For people who want to know how traffic looks, and where they can get cheap gasoline, Milford Patch has combined two things into one. Visit our new traffic and gas tab to see the morning, or afternoon, trends. 2. Sundown tonight marks the beginning of Hanukkah. Temple Beth Shalom will light a menorah and hold a celebration at Draper Memorial Park, at 6:30 p.m. At the same time, Chabad House Jewish Center will light its menorah. The public is invited to both. 3. The Greater Milford Community Chorus will begin rehearsals for its spring performance in early January. …

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