(WAND) — Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, also known as Chanukah, is coming up this week.
Hanukkah begins on the evening of Thursday, Dec. 7 and continues until the evening of Friday, Dec. 15 this year.
In Hebrew, Hanukkah means “dedication,” and the holiday marks the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC, after a small group of Jewish fighters liberated it from occupying foreign forces.
Related Links
- What to know about Hanukkah and how it's celebrated around the world
- Pre-Hanukkah celebration to light up downtown Champaign
- Campus Center for Jewish Living to be dedicated on Thursday
Celebrations will be held across central Illinois beginning this week. To add an event happening in your community, reach out to news@wandtv.com.
Champaign-Urbana
Campus Wide Celebration
- Thursday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m.
- The Grand Menorah will be lit on the University of Illinois quad in front of the Illini Union
- There will be doughnuts, draidels, latkes, and music
- The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign Provost John Coleman is the special guest for the evening
Downtown Chanukah Celebration
- Sunday, Dec. 10 at 5 p.m.
- A public menorah lighting will happen at 1 Main Plaza in downtown Champaign
- There will be latkes, doughnuts, gifts for children, and live music
Springfield
Night One as One - Grand Menorah Lighting
- Thursday, Dec. 7 at 5:30 p.m. at White Oaks Mall, 2501 Wabash Ave Springfield, IL
- A special Chanukah program will include lighting the Giant Menorah, Chanukah songs, fresh latkes and Sufganiyot, hot drinks and more
- Dignitaries will be in attendance
Menorah Car Parade
- Thursday, Dec. 14 at 5 p.m.
- RSVP at info@chabadspringfield.com
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