Sacramento Kings forward Omri Casspi scored a career-high 20 points Wednesday, grabbed eight rebounds and notched two assists. Thursday, he noshed and schmoozed with about 200 people at a Hanukkah party at Memorial Auditorium put on by the Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region. Casspi sat in the lobby for nearly an hour signing autographs, talking to fans and posing for photos. He also spoke of how he celebrates the Jewish holiday in Israel. "I usually (celebrate it with) a small group of family, we get everybody to come together, light the candles, sing songs and pray together," he said. "Usually we do that all week (and) on the last night, we go to my grandparents' house, invite a

Chabad's menorah lighting ceremony was held in the Rotunda and the east steps of the California State Capitol this morning. Today is the start of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights. Several Jewish leaders spoke, children sang and presents were handed out. The Governor, and the people of California, were presented a Menoorah plaque  from Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin, Chabad of California. It was inscribed: "The tallest candle on the menorah is the one that serves to kindle others." "As we light this menorah today I encourage all Californians to reflect on its message of light, hope and freedom and to share that message with others," Schwarzenegger said. Here are some photos from the ev

   From the distinct smell of cooking Latkas (potato pancakes), the sound of the spinning dreidal against the hard wood floor, to the timeless visual of the burning of the Menorah candles, Chanukah provides us sensual imaginary that is forever emblazoned in our minds and memory.    Derived from the Hebrew verb "חנך", the literal translation of “Hanukkah” means “to dedicate,” celebrating the Jews regained control of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Temple.    This year, as we commemorate the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE, we must also remember our local commitment, our dedication to our local community.