Thursday evening marked the beginning of Hanukkah, as Rabbi Yitzchok Feldman of Chabad of Central Oregon lit the first candle on a ceremonial giant menorah in Bend’s Old Mill District.

The eight-day festival commemorates what Jewish communities celebrate as a miracle: the second-century BCE rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, when oil that should have only lasted for one day burned for eight days.

Hanukkah is celebrated starting the 25th day of Kislev on the Jewish calendar, which usually occurs in late November or December.