chanukah is the festival which celebrates the restoration of jewish religious and political independence in the land of israel about 2,200 years ago. during this holiday, we commemorate the triumph of our ancestors over the greek forces that occupied israel. this year chanukah begins at sunset on thursday, december 7. chanukah brunch bash! sunday, december 10 after the cbi annual meeting at 11:00am (open to all cbi members). join us at 11:30am for our congregational chanukah celebration. brunch (with latkes), video booth, israeli dancing, dreidel tournament, jewish jeopardy, prizes, candles, music & fun! $8 per person / $30 max per family. payment is due with reservation. rsvp online | pay online chanukah services 2023 at cbi saturday, december 9 - 10:00am sunday, december 10 - 9:15am how to light the menorah the hanukkah menorah, (hanukkiah in hebrew), should be lit right after nightfall on each night of hanukkah in order to publicize the miracle and celebrate our steadfast determination to keep the light of our heritage burning bright. a candle is added to the hanukkah menorah for each new night of the holiday. on the first night, you light only the shamash (typically the higher candle) and use it to light the first hanukkah candle. then by the eighth night of the holiday, all the candles will be lit. candles are placed in the menorah from right to left (same direction as hebrew writing), but they are lit from left to right - lighting the candle of the newest day of hanukkah first. recite or sing the blessings, and then light the chanukah candle(s) using the shamash. resources how to light the menorah learn to sing the prayers that are recited when lighting the menorah