Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of light celebrated for eight days in the Hebrew month of Kislev (usually mid to late Dec). It commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks in 165 BC. During the ceremony in the Temple, the Jews found that there was only one days worth of oil, but miraculously it lasted for eight days.

In commemoration, one of the eight candles of the menorah is lit each night of the festival. This year, Hanukkah begins on the night of Tues 7 Dec and in Rome will be marked by prayers at the main synagogue on Lungotevere Cenci. As usual the lighting of a candle on the giant menorah will also take place in Piazza Barberini, starting on 7 Dec and on each of the eight days of the festival. For more information contact the Comunit Ebraica, Tempio Maggiore, Lungotevere Cenci, tel. 066840061.