First Day Of Hanukkah 2010:When Does Hanukkah Start?

Today is a big day in world news.  First, it’s the first day of Hanukkah 2010, it’s the first day of the unemployment extension expiration, and it’s also World AIDS Day. Hanukkah 2010 begins officially at sundown tonight. This is the earliest start to the Jewish holiday, also known as Chanukah, in the last eight years. The start of Hanukkah 2010 tonight, marks the beginning off a Jewish Festival of Lights, lasting for eight nights. Hanukkah celebrates a military victory won by the Jews, over Seleucidite Syrian Greeks, long ago in 165 BC. Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. In New York cities Central Park, the holiday will be honored with a giant menorah lighting the sky, starting on Wednesday night. Hanukkah is celebrated by lighting candles each night in a menorah. A menorah is candelabra that holds eight candles. A ninth, elevated branch is known as a shamash.