VIDEO: Starting Hanukkah Early

The Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut hosts a weekly lunch for the New London, Colchester and Norwich Hebrew Seniors Groups at , but Monday's lunch was a special event, as it was the the day before the beginning of Hanukkah and guests were excited to get the holiday started.

Hanukkah, which begins at sundown tonight, is the Festival of Lights, celebrating the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian-Greek army, and the reclaiming of the temple in Jerusalem.

The miracle of Hanukkah is that a flask of oil that was used to light the menorah in the temple, and which usually lasted only a day, lasted, in this instance, eight days.

According to MyJewishLearning.com, most Hanukkah foods are deep-fried, since the miracle in question is so focused on oil. Latkes (potato pancakes) are a traditional dish, as are sufganiyot, or jelly donuts. 

for some halva. It's delicious and different!