Menorahs will be lit around the region — and the world — as the eight-day long Festival of Lights starts on Wednesday.

Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt in the 2nd century. The Maccabees led a Jewish revolt against the Seleucid empire, which had claimed their territory, including the Holy Temple. The Jewish fighters were able to reclaim the temple, but didn’t have enough oil left to consecrate the holy site. The small jar of oil they found was only enough to light the Temple’s Menorah for one night, but lasted eight nights, allowing for new consecrated oil to be prepared.

The holiday follows the ancient Hebrew lunar calendar and this year starts at sundown on Dec. 25, with the last night being Jan. 2. Each year the holiday over-laps with the new moon, and thereby always includes the darkest nights of the year. 

Chanukah is not only the commemoration of the "minor" miracle of oil lasting eight nights instead of one, but of two other miracles as well — the Maccabees fighting for religious freedom and the unbroken tradition of celebrating the winter holiday.

Congregation Beth Shalom will host a public candle lighting event at 3:30 p.m. Friday at McHenry Village, 1700 McHenry Ave. in Modesto. Following the candle lighting, will be the congregation’s annual Chanukkah Party from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the temple, 1705 Sherwood Ave., ending with a festive shabbat service at 7 p.m. Reservations for the party are required and can be made by calling 209-571-6060 or emailing info@cbsmodesto.org.

The congregation’s will also host a candle lighting and concert at 6 p.m. Dec. 28 at the Queen Bean, 1126 14th St. in Modesto. The concert will feature Beth Shalom’s house band.