THOUSAND OAKS, CA - The community is invited to California Lutheran University's annual Hanukkah celebration from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, in the Roth Nelson Room.

CLU's observance of the Jewish Festival of Lights begins at sundown with the lighting of the candles on the menorah. Guests can join faculty, staff and students in enjoying music, dreidel games and Hanukkah food such as latkes and jelly doughnuts.

Every year for eight days between the end of November and the end of December, Jewish people around the world celebrate Hanukkah to commemorate the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jews defeated the Syrians and won their religious freedom in the second century B.C.E. Hanukkah is commonly referred to as the Festival of Lights because, following their victory, the Jews cleansed and purified the temple, and rekindled the menorah, a series of candles that symbolizes God's divine presence. Although it only held enough oil to burn a single day, the menorah burned for eight days.

The Roth Nelson Room is located on Mountclef Boulevard between Olsen Road and Memorial Parkway in Thousand Oaks.

CLU’s Office of Multicultural Programs and International Student Services and Hillel Club are sponsoring the free event. For more information, call the Multicultural Programs office at 805-493-3489.