Bucks County celebrates Hanukkah. Here's how to take part

Damon C. Williams and Anna Kaufman, Bucks County Courier Times
Updated ·3 min read

Bucks County groups, synagogues and organizations will host several public Menorah lightings to celebrate Hanukkah in the coming days as part of the eight-day Jewish “Festival of Lights” that began Thursday.

According to Chabad.org, on every night of Hanukkah, another flame is lit: one the first day, two the second day etc., until eight flames are burning on the eighth night. There is an additional candle, known as the shamash (“helper”) from which the flames are lit.

Hanukkah celebrations kicked off in Bucks County on Thursday with lightings and events in Warrington and New Hope.

Rabbi Mendel, of Chabad Lubavitch of Doylestown, leads the Hanukkah celebration with the menorah lighting at the Shops of Valley Square in Warrington on Thursday night. Festivities featured songs, a bubble show, a gelt drop and traditional treats.
Rabbi Mendel, of Chabad Lubavitch of Doylestown, leads the Hanukkah celebration with the menorah lighting at the Shops of Valley Square in Warrington on Thursday night. Festivities featured songs, a bubble show, a gelt drop and traditional treats.

Participating in the 'Festival of Lights' in Bucks County

Here are the Menorah lightings and related activities that are open to the public in Bucks County:

  • Grand Menorah Lighting: 4:15 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at Yardley Chanukah Village along Main Street in Yardley. Participating shops will provide Hanukkah activities, giveaways and treats beginning at 3 p.m.

  • Family Chanukah Celebration: 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Glazier Jewish Center, 25 N. State St., Newtown.

The Bensalem Jewish Outreach Center is hosting a "Chanukah Extravaganza" with a Menorah lighting on Wednesday, Dec. 13.
The Bensalem Jewish Outreach Center is hosting a "Chanukah Extravaganza" with a Menorah lighting on Wednesday, Dec. 13.

  • Lights and Latkes Chanukah Lunch: 12:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at Chabad Lubavitch of Doylestown, 300 E. Swamp Rd. The 12:30 lunch will be followed by a presentation from writer Randi Biederman, co-author of "Schindler's Listed: The Search for My Father's Lost Gold."

  • Doylestown Menorah Lighting: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, at the Bucks County Justice Center, 100 E. Main St., Doylestown. The Chabad Lubavitch of Doylestown is also hosting this event, which includes the Menorah lighting.

Chabad Lubavitch of Doylestown is hosting the "Light up Doylestown" Menorah lighting and celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at the Bucks County Justice Center.
Chabad Lubavitch of Doylestown is hosting the "Light up Doylestown" Menorah lighting and celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at the Bucks County Justice Center.

Local Christmas, Hanukkah events: Have holiday fun in Bucks County with these events through the season

  • Bensalem Chanukah Extravaganza: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, at the Bensalem Jewish Outreach Center, 2446 Bristol Road, Bensalem. There will be the lighting of a six-foot Menorah, Hanukkah craft stations and food. Tickets are $13 for adults, $8 for children and $30 for a family.

  • Public Menorah Lighting in Southampton: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, at 1051 County Line Road, Southampton. Organizers will light a nine-foot Menorah.

How many days does Hanukkah last?

Rhoda Stein enjoys a Latkes topped with applesauce before the Menorah Lighting ceremony and “Great Chanukah Gelt Drop” at the Shops at Valley Square in Warrington Thursday night.
Rhoda Stein enjoys a Latkes topped with applesauce before the Menorah Lighting ceremony and “Great Chanukah Gelt Drop” at the Shops at Valley Square in Warrington Thursday night.

This year Hanukkah runs from sundown on Thursday, Dec. 7, to sundown on Friday, Dec. 15, lasting eight days.

Hanukkah 2023 primer: When is Hanukkah in 2023? A look at the history and why the holiday is celebrated.

More about Hanukkah, and why is it celebrated

Rabbi Mendel, of Chabad Lubavitch of Doylestown, leads the Hanukkah celebration with the menorah lighting at the Shops of Valley Square in Warrington on Thursday night. Festivities featured songs, a bubble show, a gelt drop and traditional treats.
Rabbi Mendel, of Chabad Lubavitch of Doylestown, leads the Hanukkah celebration with the menorah lighting at the Shops of Valley Square in Warrington on Thursday night. Festivities featured songs, a bubble show, a gelt drop and traditional treats.

"Hanukkah" is Hebrew for dedication. Though the holiday is popularly known as the festival of lights, it is also the festival of rededication, meant to honor the victory of the Macabee soldiers over the Syrian Greek army.

In their victory, the Maccabees, led by Judah, reclaimed the holy temple in Jerusalem and rededicated it to God. They had only enough oil to ignite the temple light for one night, and yet the light burned for eight days.

In the Jewish faith, this instance is referred to as the miracle of Hanukkah.  A candle on the menorah, or hanukkiah, is lit each night to mimic the one that burned in the holy temple so many years ago.

Rabbi Mendel, of Chabad Lubavitch of Doylestown, leads the Hanukkah celebration with the menorah lighting at the Shops of Valley Square in Warrington on Thursday night. Festivities featured songs, a bubble show, a gelt drop and traditional treats.
Rabbi Mendel, of Chabad Lubavitch of Doylestown, leads the Hanukkah celebration with the menorah lighting at the Shops of Valley Square in Warrington on Thursday night. Festivities featured songs, a bubble show, a gelt drop and traditional treats.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County celebrate Hanukkah with Menorah lightings, events