I’ve driven over the Sepulveda Pass a hundred times and have seen this off ramp to the Skirball Cultural Center and the Hebrew College. I figured the Hebrew College was a college about Jewish Studies but I never knew what the Skirball Cultural Center.

On Saturday night I was trying to figure out what to do for my trip of the week. Being the holidays I wanted to do something festive. I then came across a docent led tour for Hanukkah at the Skirball Center. I decided this would be the time I find out exactly what this Center is all about. What a great treat!

The Skirball Cultural Center has established itself as one of the world's most dynamic Jewish cultural institutions, and among the most prominent cultural venues in the United States. Its mission is to explore the connections between four thousand years of Jewish heritage and the vitality of American democratic ideals. It seeks to welcome and inspire people of every ethnic and cultural identity in American life. Guided by our respective memories and experiences, together we aim to build a society in which all of us can feel at home.

The Skirball features an extraordinary museum, changing exhibitions, engaging music, theater, comedy, film, family, and literary programs, Zeidler's Café, and Audrey's Museum store, and a new interactive family destination inspired by the Noah's Ark story—all in a stunning architectural setting designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie. Over 500,000 people visit the Skirball each year. They may be coming to enjoy an exhibition, attend a music program, participate in a meeting hosted by a community organization, educational institution, or local business, or partake in a life-cycle event such as a baby naming, wedding, or memorial service. The Skirball's acclaimed school program serves over 50,000 children and teachers annually from public, private, and parochial schools.

The Skirball's core exhibition Visions and Values: Jewish Life from Antiquity to America traces the experiences and accomplishments of the Jewish people over four thousand years. The galleries include multimedia installations, rare artifacts, photographs, interactive computer stations, and sound recordings that lead visitors on the Jewish people's journey, culminating with their history in the United States. The story presented is about retaining one's own culture while adapting to life in America. As with all Skirball exhibitions and programs, it seeks to communicate universal themes to people of all heritages and beliefs.

The Skirball sat high upon the Santa Monica Mountains and was a sprawling complex. I personally did not get to Noah’s Ark, partly because it was nothing but children doing art projects. I toured the museum portion and was mesmerized by all the history and artifacts on display. Perhaps my appreciation was doubled because I had already visited Israel and am fairly versed in the history of the Jewish People. After randomly wandering around, I went on a docent led tour (free) which explained in depth the artifacts, architecture and history of the Jewish People.

I then had lunch in the Ziedler Café, which served gourmet foods, and several traditional Jewish Delights. Being that it is Hanukkah, they also served Potato Latkes a traditional food of this holiday which is what I ordered.

After lunch I went on a special presentation of Hanukkah and the Menorahs. They had several dozen Menorahs on display ranging from antiquities to modern and from traditional to avant garde. I always thought Menorahs had to be in candelabra fashion but quickly learned that much artistic liberty can be taken in making these traditional candleholders.

The Hanukkah Docent showed us the numerous Menorahs and their history and explained what Hanukkah celebrated. I knew it had something to do about 1 days supply of lamp oil lasting 8 days. The first thing I learned is that the holiday dates back to nearly 200 BC and that the Menorah is the oldest symbol of Judaism. In addition, the sixth night of Hanukkah is always on the night of the new moon in December (the darkest night of the year).

The docent explained Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights, starting on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar (which is November-December on the Gregorian calendar). In Hebrew, the word "Hanukkah" means "dedication."

The holiday commemorates the rededication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jews' 165 B.C.E. victory over the Hellenist Syrians. Antiochus, the Greek King of Syria, outlawed Jewish rituals and ordered the Jews to worship Greek gods.

In 168 B.C.E. the Jews' holy Temple was seized and dedicated to the worship of Zeus.

Some Jews were afraid of the Greek soldiers and obeyed them, but most were angry and decided to fight back.

The fighting began in Modiin, a village not far from Jerusalem. A Greek officer and soldiers assembled the villagers, asking them to bow to an idol and eat the flesh of a pig, activities forbidden to Jews. The officer asked Mattathias, a Jewish High Priest, to take part in the ceremony. He refused, and another villager stepped forward and offered to do it instead. Mattathias became outraged, took out his sword and killed the man, then killed the officer. His five sons and the other villagers then attacked and killed the soldiers. Mattathias' family went into hiding in the nearby mountains, where many other Jews who wanted to fight the Greeks joined them. They attacked the Greek soldiers whenever possible.

Judah Maccabee and his soldiers went to the holy Temple, and were saddened that many things were missing or broken, including the golden menorah. They cleaned and repaired the Temple, and when they were finished, they decided to have a big dedication ceremony. For the celebration, the Maccabees wanted to light the menorah. They looked everywhere for oil, and found a small flask that contained only enough oil to light the menorah for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days. This gave them enough time to obtain new oil to keep the menorah lit. Today Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight days by lighting candles in a menorah every night, thus commemorating the eight-day miracle.

After explaining how the holiday came to be celebrated she explained the four main traditions surrounding this holiday as well as showing us showcase pieces of these traditions.

The Menorah-On each night of Hanukkah, the menorah is lit to commemorate a miracle which occurred after the Jews proclaimed victory over the Syrian armies in 165 B.C.E. When Jews came to rededicate the Temple-which had been defiled by the Syrians-they found only one small flask of oil with which to light the menorah. This flask contained only enough oil for one day, yet the lamp burned for eight days (by which time a fresh supply of oil was obtained).

-In Israel, the Hanukkah menorah is called the Hanukiyah
- Menorahs come in all shapes and sizes. The only requirement is that the flames are separated enough so that they will not look too big and resemble a pagan bonfire.
- Ancient menorahs were made of clay. They consisted of small, pearl shaped vessels, each with its own wick, which were arranged side-by-side.
- Today's menorah, which stands on a base from which the branches sprout, resembles the holy Temple's menorah and started to appear towards the end of the Middle Ages.

The Dreidel-The dreidel is a four-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter inscribed on each side. In America the letters stand for "A Great Miracle Happened There". In Israel the letters mean "A Miracle Happened Here". Each player receives a given number of coins or candy pieces. Before spinning the dreidel, each player puts a fixed proportion of the amount received into the "kupah" or kitty. Each player in turn spins the dreidel. When the dreidel falls, it will fall on one of the 4 letters. According to the letter, the following will happen: Nun - no win / no lose Gimmel - take all (from the kitty) Heh - take half (from the kitty) Peh or Shin - lose (what you deposited) The game continues until players have run out of 'funds' or it is agreed to stop (anyone losing all funds is out of the game). The dreidel game was popular during the rule of Antiochus before the Maccabees' revolt, a time when soldiers executed any Jews who were caught practicing their religion. When pious Jews gathered to study the Torah, they had the top ready in case they heard soldiers approaching. If the soldiers appeared, they would hide the holy scriptures and pretend to play with the dreidl. In Israel the dreidel is called a sivivon. The Yiddish word "dreidel" is derived from the German word "drehen", or "turn".

Latkes (which I ate at the café)-The most popular themes throughout the Hanukkah dishes are the use of oil. The oil reminds us of the oil which burned eight days instead of one. Latkes are potato pancakes made from grated potatoes mixed with eggs, onions, and flour, then fried in vegetable oil. The texture is crispy on the outside and tender within. They're served hot and often dipped in apple sauce or sour cream. The Maccabbee soldiers ate latkes made from cheese, vegetables, or fruits which were brought to them on the battlefields. However, they didn't eat potato latkes, as potatoes weren't available until the 16th century.Sufganiyot are jelly doughnuts without the hole. They're dropped into hot oil without being shaped and come out in odd, funny shapes, then covered in powdered sugar and/or cinnamon. Sufganiyot are particularly popular in Israel, where they are sold on stands in the streets over a month before Hanukkah begins.

Sufganiyot are jelly doughnuts without the hole. They're dropped into hot oil without being shaped and come out in odd, funny shapes, then covered in powdered sugar and/or cinnamon. Sufganiyot are particularly popular in Israel, where they are sold on stands in the streets over a month before Hanukkah begins.

Usually, I rush through museums but this one of the few times where I lingered and found myself there for nearly six hours taking in the history, the artifacts, and the food. Not only did I learn a great deal about Jewish History but also learned and even celebrated a little of the ancient holiday of Hanukkah!