BY AMANDA HARRISON
People everywhere are decking the halls, wrapping presents and preparing festive meals. And no matter what the belief it seems everyone this time of year has a reason to gather with family and friends to celebrate the season.
We'll be looking at some of the different reasons and ways people celebrate this time of year during our series, A Season of Greetings. Today we'll start the series with the Jewish holiday Hanukkah, which began Saturday evening and will continue through the 15th.
Hanukkah is celebrated by more than 14 million people worldwide. The first Hanukkah dates back 2500 years.
The story begins when Syrian King Antiochus outlawed Judaism and erected a statue of Zeus in the temple.
Rabbi Dorit Edut said an uprising began, and after years of fighting, the rebels took back power over Jerusalem.
When the Jews returned to their temple it had been used by the pagans for non kosher animal sacrifices.
"And they wanted to rededicate it, they had to light the seven branch menorah there but they only found a tiny little jar of oil that would have only lasted one day but they went ahead and used it and lo and behold it lasted eight days and by that time they were able to make new oil." Dorit said.
Rabbi Edut said that's why Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days.