CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS
Chabad commemorates holiday with lighting of menorah
Los Angeles Times - Glendale News-Press
Monday December 6, 1999
By Leslie Simmons, News-Press

DOWNTOWN-Even though Rabbi Simcha Backman settled into Glendale this week, he already felt right at home with the city's Jewish community Sunday at the lighting of the giant Menorah at the Glendale Galleria."Look at all these people," Backman said of the more than 100 people gathered. "It's wonderful."

The menorah lighting-was part of a Hanukkah celebration organized by the newly established Chabad of Glendale and the Foothill Communities and chabad houses in Burbank and Greater Los Feliz. A chabad house is an organization where the Jewish community can meet, continue their religious education and organize events such as the Hanukkah celebration.

Backman, who moved here with his family to start the Chabad of Glendale and the Foothill Communities, was delighted by the number of people who turned out for the event, which celebrated the third day of the religious holiday.

"Symbolically, Hanukkah is the most important Jewish holiday because it stands for Judaism and what the United States was founded on," Backman said. "It symbolizes freedom of religion, freedom of oppression and that good will always win over evil." The theme of Hanukkah is celebrated by all - whether they realize it or not," he added.

Sunday's celebration included music, dancing and the traditional holiday foods of latkes (potato pancakes) and jelly-filled doughnuts. State Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Glendale) and his family also joined the festivities. Backman invited Schiff to light the three candles on the large menorah and join in singing a prayer.

Hanukkah is known as the Jewish Festival of Lights, an eight-day celebration.