Apex kicks off Hanukkah with menorah lighting

APEX, N.C. (WTVD) -- Hanukkah officially begins at sundown on the 25th of Kislev, a month in the Hebrew calendar that usually falls within November or December.

In downtown Apex, people gathered for a menorah lighting ceremony to mark the start of the Jewish holiday.

READ MORE: Hanukkah: Everything you need to know about the Jewish holiday

"When you're a minority it is so important to have opportunities to display your heritage in a happy and joyous way, that's what we are trying to do here," said Rabbi Yisroel Cotlar. "To see three, four five-hundred kids come out and celebrate Hannukah together, it feels me with such deep joy."

The holiday miracle kicked off at the Apex Community Center, the venue being transformed into a Hanukkah holiday party.

Kids of all ages were able to decorate deep-fried foods like donuts and even decorate menorahs and play Hanukkah games.

Hanukkah ends Dec. 30.