For more than 2,000 years, Jews have observed Hanukkah, commemorating the miracle of the oil, the victory of the Maccabees over the Greek-Syrian conquerors. This year, the observance begins Tuesday, Dec. 4, at sundown and ends nightfall Wednesday, Dec. 12.

"Hanukkah is really celebrated in the home each night," said Rabbi Daniel Sherman of the Tree of Life Congregation in Columbia.

The first evening, the shammash candle (the middle candle used to light the other eight candles in the Menorah) will be kindled and used to light one candle. Another candle will be added each night until the final evening when all eight candles will be illuminated to commemorate the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrians and the miracle by which a one-day supply of sacred oil burned for eight days while the Jews rededicated their temple.

Besides the lighting of menorahs and participation in the accompanying ceremonies, Jewish families will also enjoy special games, food, and exchanges of gifts throughout Hanukkah.

"Hanukkah is meant to be a fun family festival," Sherman said.

It's celebrated various ways through the lighting of the Menorah, singing, and the dreidel game, he said.

There are many songs related to Hanukkah, but some of the most well known are "Rock of Ages" and "I Have a Little Dreidel," he said.

"All songs either remind us of Hanukkah stories, or they're ways of giving thanks to God and for our religious freedom," he said. "Hanukkah was the first real battle for religious freedom."

A popular game for Jewish children is the dreidel, Sherman said. The dreidel is a four-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter inscribed on each side. In America, the letters stand for "A Great Miracle Happened There." In Israel, the letters mean "A Miracle Happened Here." Players are given a number of coins or candy pieces and place a specified number in the kupah, or kitty, before spinning the dreidel. Each player then takes a turn spinning the dreidel, which will fall on one of the four letters -- Nun, which means no win/no lose; Gimmel, or take all from the kitty; Heh, take half from the kitty; and Peh or Shin, lose what you deposited.

The dreidel was popular during the rule of Antiochus before the Maccabee's revolt, when Jews were executed for practicing their religion. When Jews gathered to study the Torah, they had the spinning top on hand and ready to pull out if they heard soldiers approaching. They would hide the Torah and pretend to play with the dreidel, or sivivon as it is called in Israel.

There are many events open to the public in the surrounding area for the upcoming celebration of Hanukkah.

The Tree of Life Congregation on Trenholm Road in Columbia will celebrate with a Hanukkah dinner at 6:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, followed by Shabbat at Hanukkah at 7:30 p.m.

Restoration of Israel Ministries invites you to a Chanukah Celebration at the Living Well Celebration Center on Neeses Highway in Orangeburg, Dec. 7 and 8.

"This is a grand opportunity for people who are interested in where we are in this day as compared to where the Bible says we should be," said Rachel Riley, dance coordinator of Restoration of Israel Ministries.

Guest speaker Eddie Chumney of Hebraic Heritage Ministries will present his teaching from the Old Testament book of Daniel. Hebraic Heritage Ministries focuses on teaching the Hebraic roots of Christianity. Chumney has authored several books, including "Who is the Bride of Christ?", "The Seven Festivals of the Messiah" and "Restoring the Two Houses of Israel."

Praise and worship will be led by Lenny and Varda Harris of Adonai Echad Ministries in Coco, Fla. The Restoration of Israel Dance Team will also perform choreography based on the Israeli folk circle dance.

Events will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, and 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8.

Restoration of Israel Ministries celebrates Hanukkah as a ministry of born again Christians, Riley said. Many people are skeptical of their Hanukkah celebrations and criticize that they are trying to be Jewish, she said.

"When we celebrate, we celebrate in the light of knowing who Jesus is," she said.

The celebration is free and open to the public. Kosher refreshments will be served.

The Jewish Cultural Arts Committee and Columbia Jewish Leadership will sponsor a Community Hanukkah Celebration at the Katie & Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center on Flora Drive in Columbia at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8.

The celebration begins with a Havadalah and candlelighting followed by dinner with traditional latkes and fixings that include egg, tuna and garden salad, challah bread, doughnuts, tea and lemonade.

The most popular themes throughout Hanukkah dishes are the use of oil. The oil is a reminder of the oil which burned eight days instead of one.

The Southern Klezmer Band will provide musical entertainment at the Community Hanukkah Celebration in Columbia. Klezmer is a musical tradition that parallels Hasidic and Ashkenazic Judaism. Around the 15th century, the tradition of secular Jewish music was developed by musicians called kleyzmorim or kleyzmerim.

The repertoire is largely dance songs for weddings and other celebrations.

Children will be occupied by a carnival in the gym featuring typical carnival games and a mega moon walk.

The celebration is open to the public; however, reservations are required, due to limited space.

Admission is $5 for children 10 years of age and under and $10 for adults. There is a $25 per family maximum. For reservations, call 803-787-2023, ext. 206, or e-mail mandyf@jcccolumbia.org.

T&D Features Writer Candace Newson can be reached by e-mail at cnewson@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5540. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com. Information from www.history.com and www.wikipedia.org.

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