South Florida celebrates the first day of Hanukkah

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) -- As Jews around the world celebrate the first day of Hanukkah today, a local temple joins in the tradition after overcoming adversity.

The Chabad House on wheels kicked off the holiday on Miami Beach Sunday.

For this congregation, Hanukkah holds a particularly powerful meaning. "If you don't know, our Shul burned down in April, but that doesn't stop us. It makes us stronger to keep on going with more activities," said Rabbi Zev Katz. "So I end up with wishing you a happy Hanukkah, and we're going to have a great night here tonight."

In the later part of April, bandits broke into the Chabad House Synagogue along 24th Street and Pine Tree Drive and stole the temple's Torah. The thieves then lit the building on fire.

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights marks the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple after its destruction. It commemorates the miracle of a one-day supply of oil to light candles which somehow lasted for eight days.

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