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Local Jewish Community Observes Beginning Of Hanukkah

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Hanukkah, the festival of lights, began at sundown Sunday.

Congregation Rodeph Shalom's rabbi Eli Freedman said it's not the most holy holiday on the Jewish calendar, but it's certainly one of the most fun, and the kids love it:

"They get so into it and more than anything, it's the next generation of Judiasm, you know. Eight nights of lighting candles, of giving gifts, all the different foods with oil in it, all that great stuff."

Congregation members are looking forward to creating memories, family and of course the food.

"We like to make latkas, which are potato pancakes. We traditionally also eat cheese on Hanukkah, which is one of these lesser known things. I love doing fried cheese. It's one of my favorites to make on Hanukkah," Freedman said.

The festival of lights continues for eight days and nights, concluding next Monday.

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