The South Bay and Long Beach areas are welcoming Hanukkah with a host of lively celebrations from December 14 through December 21.

 

Events span beloved locations like Hermosa Beach Pier, Redondo Beach, and Long Beach, featuring menorah lightings, live music, fun crafts, and traditional treats such as latkes and donuts.

 

Highlights include a giant Lego menorah build at the Del Amo Fashion Center, Hanukkah Storytime at the Aquarium of the Pacific, and family festivals with activities from sledding to ventriloquists in Rancho Palos Verdes and beyond.

 

Venues like Manhattan Village, Metlox Plaza, and Promenade PV invite the public to enjoy festive menorah lightings, dancing, and children’s contests.

 

From crafting to storytelling and song, these events offer meaningful ways for neighbors to connect and celebrate the Festival of Lights.

In the heart of Redondo Beach, Temple Menorah embodies the enduring spirit of the South Bay's Jewish community.

 

Founded in 1946 by Isaac H. Grancell and his wife, Anna, the temple began as a small gathering in their Hermosa Beach home.

 

After establishing a base at the former Odd Fellows hall, the congregation, now named South Bay Jewish Community Center, flourished for over a decade.

 

In 1947, the first installation dinner featured keynote remarks by Superior Court Judge Stanley Mosk, and the name Temple Menorah was formally adopted.

 

Growth in the 1950s led to the purchase of new property, with leadership from Rabbi Henri Front guiding a new vision for the future.

 

By 1969, the Grancell Sanctuary was dedicated in honor of the founders.

 

Today, Temple Menorah is the South Bay’s largest Jewish congregation, spanning from El Segundo to Palos Verdes.

 

Modern celebrations like the December Giant Menorah Lighting and Camp Menorah summer programs keep its legacy vibrant.