On late afternoon Monday, Memorial Park in La Cañada was the site of a festival of lights. The Chabad of La Crescenta invited the entire Crescenta Valley community to share and learn about the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah. Volunteers offered face painting and the chance for guests to decorate their own dessert, plus be entertained by dancing dreidels and filled by tables piled high with delicious latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganyot (jelly doughnuts).

As sunset waned, Rabbi Mendy Grossbaum invited dignitaries State Senator Anthony Portantino, La Cañada mayor pro tem Keith Eich, CV Town  Council President Harry Leon and GCC Board of Trustees member Ann Ransford to help light the shammash – the center candle from which all the other candles are lit on the menorah.

Rabbi Mendy shared the wisdom of why a candle is added each night of Hanukkah instead of having all eight candles lit every night. He said the experience is about growth and learning. He explained that people should want to always be learning and moving forward and to grow each day so “we can all share our inner lights with others.”

And then … a seven-foot LED dancing Megabot from Allayance Entertainment took center stage and got kids and adults alike to dance and enjoy the rest of a really fun evening.

Submitted by Rachelle MILLER