Rabbi Eli Levitansky from the Chabad House lights the giant public Menorah at the Third Street Promenade during the first night of Chanukah on Friday , December 11, 2009. There are 50 public menorah throughout the Santa Monica area. According to Rabbi Levitansky, there are more public menorah's in Santa Monica than any other city in the world! Chanukah, AKA the Festival of Lights, is a joyous celebration of the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. It also commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for 8 days when there was only enough oil left in the temple for one day.
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