WILKES-BARRE - A time-honored tradition was held in Wilkes-Barre to mark the start of Hanukkah.
Runners jogged down South River Street for the 49th annual “Running of the Torch.”
That torch was brought to the entrance to the Jewish Community Center around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to light the menorah, officially ushering in the eight days of Hanukkah.
“Hanukkah's a holiday, it's not one of the major holidays in the Jewish calendar but it is an important holiday, any holiday is important to remember, A. history and B. as a way of getting the community together and celebrate itself and get to know each other,” said Dr. Barbara Bell, the President of the Jewish Community Alliance of Northeastern Pennsylvania, which runs the JCC.
After the lighting, the community was invited inside for a traditional Hanukkah dinner, complete with potato pancakes and jelly doughnuts.
