SILVER SPRING, MD — Hanukkah events are scheduled across Montgomery County to celebrate the Jewish winter holiday that begins on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 22 and ends on the evening of Monday, Dec. 30. Known as the Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah — also spelled Chanukah — celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

As the story goes, the region was ruled by Greek-Syrian oppressors, who abolished Judaism and retaliated against anyone who disobeyed King Antiochus. A small army of Jews, known as the Maccabees, fought back and drove their enemies out of Judea — also known as the land of Israel. The Jews returned to the Second Temple, which had been destroyed, and started to rebuild the altar and restore the sacred gold candelabra called a menorah. But there was only enough oil to illuminate the Temple's menorah for one day — or so they thought. That small amount of oil miraculously kept the menorah illuminated for eight full days.

Today, the Jewish holiday is centered around the menorah and celebrated with loved ones.