A Hanukkah Tradition | News

WILKES-BARRE — A holiday tradition continued Tuesday in Luzerne County.

On the fourth night of Hanukkah, it was the 46th annual Running of the Torch.

Runners started the run outside Temple B’nai B’rith in Kingston and made their way to Temple Israel in Wilkes-Barre.

The event started in Israel back in 1940 to celebrate Hanukkah which is known as the Festival of Lights.

People who attended the event said it’s a fun way to celebrate a season of miracles for people of the Jewish faith.

“My wife happens to work here and I say, every year, ‘when are they doing it?’ And then I forget about it and it’s too late. But, thank God, I got a chance to come here and do it this year and it was a lot of fun,” said Roy Kaplan of Kingston.

After the running of the torch, there was a traditional Hanukkah meal at the J.C.C. in Wilkes-Barre.

“(My favorite part of Hanukkah is) the food, definitely the food, “laughed Kaplan. “Latkes and depending if you’re having brisket in one place and chicken in another place along with the latkes, can’t beat it. Oh, and the jelly doughnuts.”