Even as Hanukkah is coming to a close, locals are still celebrating the eight-day Festival of Lights.
The Neshama Chabad Lubavitch of Manhattan Beach hosted its 13th-annual menorah lighting on Dec. 20, the fifth night of Hanukkah.
Rabbi Avrohom Winner, who presided over the festivities, said the fifth day of the holy holiday is a good time for the community to celebrate together.
“The fifth day, in simple terms, represents majority because we’re already into the majority of Hannukah,” said Winner. “That gives us more of a fullness to the holiday.”
Kids and parents chowed down on holiday goodies — doughnuts, a traditional Hanukkah sweet treat — while music played outdoors. Winner lit the 15-foot menorah, which was decked out with glowing lights, alongside the community’s honoree, Igor Ryklis.
Ryklis said he was thrilled with the nomination.
“I was ecstatic,” said Ryklis, who attended the event with his wife and children. “It is a great honor.”
Even though it was a cold night — and chaotic in parts of the city — Winner said he hopes the community stays warm by remembering the ultimate meaning of the menorah.
“The message that I gave was that the candles of the menorah represent the light of Jewish tradition, and this keeps us warm — it gives us light, lights our way and keeps us warm — especially during difficult times like we’re having right now in New York,” he said.
