Rejoice and partake on Sunday December 21, as CHABAD of Cary and Raleigh celebrate the Festival of Lights at Barnes & Noble and Crab Tree Valley Mall under the leadership of the brother Rabbis Aaron and Pinchas Herman.

Rabbi Aaron Herman, of Chabad of Cary Learning Center, known as the juggling Rabbi, will perform a juggling adaptation of the story of Chanukah.  His wife Leah will read to the gathered children, parents and grandparents from "A Chanukah Story for Night Number Three.  Shoppers who may happen to wander over are welcome.  It all begins at 4:00 pm at Barnes and Noble, 760 SE Maynard, Cary.

The children are delighted because it isn't often you see a juggling Rabbi.  The Jewish experience is supposed to be joyous; it is this that he likes most about the program.

The eight year tradition includes free gold-covered chocolate coins and dreidels (spinning tops for game-playing).  Each side of the four-sided top has a Hebrew letter representing the phrase: A great miracle occurred here.

"We gather here for community awareness about the ancient holiday of Chanukah and to promote Jewish pride in its observance -the miracle message for universal freedom," said Rabbi Herman.

For further information regarding Chabad of Cary Learning Center and classes in Jewish mysticism, ethics, Talmud and their monthly Friday night dinner to welcome the Sabbath, visit their website: www.chabadofcary.org

The eight-day long observance continues Sunday evening at 6:00 pm at Crab Tree Valley Mall where Rabbi Pinchas Herman will lead a brief service.  He and his wife Helana will welcome an expected crowd of 200 for the lighting of the 11 foot electric Menorah located on the mall's upper level outside of Sears.

One child from the audience will be selected to light the first candle and another child to light the shames (lead) candle on the first and succeeding seven nights (on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the lighting begins at 5:00 pm; Friday at 3:00 pm; Saturday at 7:00 pm and the eighth candle will be lit at 5:00 pm on Sunday December 28).

Rabbi Pinchas Herman said, "The message of Chanukah is one of freedom and religious tolerance.  Adding a candle each night represents adding an additional good deed to combat terrorism and inhumanity in the world."

Along with singing, a display of children's magazines, Chanukah decorations, chocolate gold coins and dreidels are free for all the children.

"Following this event, I receive calls and emails from parents telling me how much their children appreciate seeing their holiday represented, said Rabbi Pinchas Herman.

Chabad of Raleigh maintains a full range of Jewish programs including Sunday Hebrew School, classes in mysticism and summer day camp.  You don't have to pay to pray.

For further information, visit: www.jewishraleigh.org