Sydney's Jewish Community Celebrate Hanukkah As COVID-19 Restrictions Ease in Australia

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 11: Rabbi Phil Kaplan sings during a Friday service at The Great Synagogue on December 11, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. The Australian Jewish community observe Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah (a Hebrew word meaning dedication) or Festival of Lights. The eight-day observance commemorates the rededication of the second Temple in Jerusalem after the Jewish people's successful uprising against the Hellenist Syrian empire in the Maccabean rebellion, around 167 to 160BC. The celebration is centered around the nightly menorah lighting, special prayers, festive dishes including latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (deep-fried jam doughnuts) and gifts for children. The menorah holds nine flames, one known as the shamash ("attendant"), is used to kindle the other eight lights. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)