"Hanukkah is a celebration of freedom—of religion," Anna Levia says. "It's more of a traditional function than a religious one."

Like a lot of other Jewish families, the Levia family—Anna, her husband, Oz, and their three children, Elaine, 13, Yonatan, 8 and Omri, 7—get together with friends to celebrate the festival of lights.

"We don't have family here—so we are invited to friends' homes or invite them over," Anna says.

Although Oz was born in Israel and Anna was born in New York, the family celebrates Hanukkah the traditional way it began in Israel and the way millions of Jews celebrate it all over the world.

Hanukkah—meaning "dedication"—commemorates the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by foreign forces more than 2,000 years ago. According to Hanukkah legend, when the foreign rulers of the Israelites ordered the Jews to bow down to the image of their leader, whose statue was erected at the temple, a small group of Jews called the Maccabees rebelled. The Maccabees risked their lives to live according to Jewish law and to prevent the desecration of their temple. Although the Jews won, the temple was destroyed in the ensuing struggle. After cleaning and repairing it, the Jews rededicated the temple to God.

The lighting of the menorah—a nine-branched ceremonial lamp—symbolizes the eternal covenant between the Jews and God. It also reaffirms the commitment of Jews to live by God's commandments and to lead Jewish lives.

Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev and is celebrated for nine days by lighting a candle on the menorah on each day with a prayer.

"Lighting the menorah is a very universal tradition," says Barbara Biran, a 20-year Sunnyvale resident.

Barbar's son Tamar, 15, attends Fremont High School in Sunnyvale.

"Lighting the menorah is also done for nine nights to observe the miracle," Barbara says.

Legend has it that there was only sufficient oil for the candle to burn for one day at the Jerusalem temple. However, the oil burned for eight days and nights until more oil could be made. Whereas oil was used in the menorah in the past, candles have been substituted for oil.

On the first day of Hanukkah—this year Nov. 29, the day after Thanksgiving—families light the first candle on the menorah—the Hebrew word for candelabrum—and say a blessing.

After the menorah is lit and a prayer is said, it's time for food and fun.

Although Alisa Vig and her husband, Alon, were both born in Israel, they have lived in Sunnyvale for almost 10 years with their two children, Maye, 7 and Tom, 3. Alisa says that when Maye attended the South Peninsula Jewish School in Sunnyvale, she learned a lot of Hanukkah songs in Hebrew.

It's traditional to give gifts to children during Hanukkah—another favorite part of the season for children.

Favorite foods during Hanukkah are latkes (potato pancakes) and susganiots (jelly doughnuts).

Playing dreidel—meaning "top"—is a source of fun during get-togethers. The four sides of the top bear four Hebrew letters: nun, gimel, hei and shin. Although, dreidel is an adaptation of an old gambling game, people play it more for fun now. Traditionally winners of the game are awarded "gelt," the Yiddish term for money. However, nowadays the gelt that children receive are often gold foil­wrapped chocolate coins or sometimes saving bonds or checks.

Jewish families believe the most important message of Hanukkah is dedication.

"Although we're not terribly religious, we do observe the traditions of Hanukkah," Anna says.