Mick Sweetman / CHLY 101.7FM - Nanaimo’s Jewish community marked the first night of ​​Chanukah with the lighting of a giant Menorah at Maffeo Sutton Park.

Organized by Chabad of Nanaimo the event attracted hundreds of people to mark the start of the holiday celebrating the triumph of light over darkness.

Rabbi Bentzi Shemtov says that the public celebration of ​​Chanukah is important for the community.

“The holiday is all about light, freedom,” he said. “That's what we celebrate on this holiday, the holiday of freedom over light over darkness, and to be able to come out into the streets in the open and light those candles the first night knowing that tomorrow night's going to be two nights, two candles. It's really good.”

The Chabad of Nanaimo and Central Vancouver Island will hold another Menorah lighting at Courtenay City Hall on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 3:30 p.m.