Jewish residents celebrated the start of Chanukah Thursday night with the lighting of a grand menorah in downtown Huntington.
The Jewish holiday, which lasts eight days, marks a miracle of an oil lamp that burned for eight days when it only had enough to one day. It commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem by the lighting of candles on each day of the festival.
Chabad of Huntington Village sponsored the celebration on Wall Street alongside the other lights and decorations of the Huntington Holiday Spectacular. Town Supervisor Ed Smyth spoke, while Dr. Nick Fitterman, executive director of Huntington Hospital, helped light the menorah. Singer Toby Tobias performed as the celebration got underway.