Temple Beth El downtown Bradenton Hanukkah candle lighting set Dec. 7

BRADENTON -- The sixth annual Temple Beth El downtown Bradenton Hanukkah candle lighting event begins at 6 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Riverwalk Amphitheater east of the Green bridge.

Temple Beth El has significant interest in interfaith Passover seders at local churches, including First United Methodist.

First United Methodist has held a Holocaust service and Pastor Adam Zele has been active in developing ongoing relations with the Jewish community.

Temple Beth El also put on an interfaith symposium last year with its rabbi, a Catholic priest and a pastor.

"One of my stepdaughters, who I helped raise since she was 8, is a Baptist minister -- so that makes me part of a very small select group -- Jewish dentists who have a Baptist minister daughter," said Irv Zamikoff of Temple Beth El.

The program will open with a welcome and introduction by temple President Sandy Clark, followed by a short history and the meaning of Hanukkah.

Opening songs "One Special Night" and "Light These Lights" will be performed by the church choir directed by Jim Culver.

Blessings for the candle lighting will be performed by temple Cantor Alan Cohn. The ceremonial lighting of the candles and meaning of each candle will follow.

Cohn will sing and lead singing of traditional Hanukkah songs followed by the Temple Shabbat Live band with cantorial soloist Deborah Polkinghorne-Suta, Robbie Taylor and Albert Rosenstein.

Closing words and the church choir singing "Peace on Earth" and "Shalom Chaverim" (Peace Friends Until We Meet Again) will conclude the service.

Open to the public.

Information: 941-755-4900.

Bradenton's Jewish Congregation Ner Tamid celebrates Hanukkah Around the World

BRADENTON -- Congregation Ner Tamid invites the community to join at 6:30 p.m. Friday in a special program, "Hanukkah Around the World."

The program at The Clubhouse at Lakeside South, 3817 40th Ave. W., Bradenton, features Jewish diversity as Rabbi Barbara Aiello and Rabbinic associate Rena Morano share the unique Hanukkah traditions celebrated in France, Canada, Morocco and Australia.

Members and friends will bring their personal Hanukkah menorahs to kindle the six candles representing the sixth night of the festival that celebrates "the miracle of light." The congregation expects to simultaneously light several dozen beautiful family menorahs.

A light supper includes latkes and jelly doughnuts, the traditional Hanukkah treats.

Hanukkah, the Jewish festival that celebrates religious freedom, begins Sunday with the lighting of the first candle on the Hanukkah menorah. The holiday lasts for eight nights.

This story was originally published December 2, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Temple Beth El downtown Bradenton Hanukkah candle lighting set Dec. 7 ."