A menorah alight and afloat

On fourth night of Hanukkah, Chabad Jewish Center holds event with balloon menorah, lighting.NEWPORT BEACH -- Child after child craned their necks at Fashion Island on Wednesday to get a glimpse of a 15-foot-tall menorah made of balloons.

Planted behind a temporary stage, the silver, blue and white balloons appeared to mesmerize 5-month-old Dylan Kalaie. It was his first Hanukkah, and he spent it bundled in a beanie and a jacket.

His sister, 3-year-old Daniella, was fixated on 8th Day, a Hasidic rock band that played to a few hundred people on this chilly evening in Newport Beach.

“We came specifically for this celebration,” said Dawn Kalaie, Dylan and Daniella’s mother. “This is something to see. It’s a great time to be with family.”

An expected crowd of about 500 people gathered to hear 8th Day play a set that included songs about the Jewish festival of lights. The annual event, presented by the Chabad Jewish Center of Newport Beach, was held to celebrate the fourth night of Hanukkah.

In past years, the center has brought a chocolate menorah and one made out of ice. This year, balloons were the choice.

Rabbi Reuven Mintz, director of the Chabad Jewish Center of Newport Beach, said the menorah is a symbol of freedom.

“We are reminded of unity and diversity by the eight separate branches of the menorah coming together as one,” he said. “Hanukkah is about the universal message of tolerance and understanding. It should inspire everyone to take on acts of kindness.”

Mintz said the album title of 8th Day’s first CD illustrates the meaning of Hanukkah. “Tracht Gut,” he said, is Yiddish for “think good, and it will be good.”

And the band, which has been recording songs since 1997, recognized Mintz during the performance.

“Let’s hear it for Rabbi Mintz,” singer Rabbi Shmueli said. “He blew up every one of the balloons.”

Newly elected Rep. John Campbell attended the event and lighted a candle. Children played dreidel, a traditional Hanukkah game, and were treated to face painting at the event.

The Chabad Jewish Center brought doughnuts and chocolate for the audience.

During the eight-day holiday, center members are visiting senior centers, hospitals and other locations to bring gifts and raise spirits of community members.

On Friday, Temple Bat Yahm in Newport Beach is planning a menorah-lighting ceremony at 5:40 p.m. Afterward, children will bring their small menorahs inside the temple for a religious service. A dinner and party is scheduled for later in the evening.

Temple Bat Yahm Executive Director Bill Shane said he is expecting a few hundred people at the event.

“It’s another gathering of family and the chance for the temple family to get together,” he said. “The holiday itself is a celebration of freedom and a chance to find the meaning of that.”20051229is8mspncKENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOT(LA)Ryan Orlin kisses his son, Konnor, 6, as a menorah is lighted at an event at Fashion Island on Wednesday.