Happy Hanukkah 2010: Celebrating Hanukkah in Oakland and Atlanta

Last year, this blogger was in Oakland for Hanukkah, and Mom was in Georgia. This year, finds the Mac Book (now Mac Book Pro) blogging from Atlanta, and it's Hanukkah eve. So, again for those not in the know, what is Hanukkah?

As written before (why reinvent the wheel?)...

This is the eighth day of the Festival of Light on the eve of what is called the commemoration of the miracle of the oil. Each day, one kindles the Hanukkah lights of a special candelabrum, the Menorah which has nine branches, and does this once each day for eight days (December 11th to December 19th), increasing the number of lights each evening. So for this time before sundown we kindle one light. (In the Jewish calendar the day begins at night, then starts the 1st day of Hanukkah.)


The ritual celebrates the victorious battle of the Jewish rebel army the Maccabees over the supposedly much superior Syrians in 165 B.C. and the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. (By the way, there are many variations of this history, so chime in with any variation, if you please.)

Again, if you're in Oakland, make your way to  the place I would visit if I were there.  It's is called Grand Bakery and its on 3264 Grand Ave just up the street from The Grand Lake Theater; the number is 510-465-1110.   Hurry!  Because last year they ran out the first day because they had such a rush.  

Also a great event is this Friday at Temple Sinai where their Hanukkah Dinner and Celebration starts at 5:30 PM at , 2808 Summit Street. And yes, you bring your own dinner and menorah; the Temple provides the sufganiyot.

What about Atlanta? A lot!

Now in Atlanta, where a large Jewish community thrives, there are a vast number of Hanukkah-related events.  Access Atlanta has a great website listing many of them.