While your Christmas celebrations wrapped up Wednesday evening, another holiday tradition was just beginning. The eight-day festival of lights known as Chanukah began at sundown on Wednesday, celebrating the Maccabees' victory over Selecudian Greek occupiers as they recaptured the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The eight days commemorate the time the temple's menorah stayed lit despite only having enough oil for one night. Rabbi Michoel Feinstein from the Chabad of the Bay Area says the Jewish population in northeast Wisconsin is small, but strong. This Saturday, the Chabad of the Bay Area will host its 15th annual public menorah lighting ceremony, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the first public lighting ceremony in the nation. Feinstein says Chanukah is about illuminating the darkness and he is happy they are bringing many of their Jewish traditions into the light.

The menorah lighting ceremony will occur at 7 p.m. at the Chabad of the Bay Area in Allouez. Feinstein says they offer free candles to those who want to light the menorah in their homes this Chanukah.