PHOTO: Community lights up menorah for Hanukkah

Leila Veitch lights up the first candle of a menorah Thursday evening at the town clock in downtown Santa Cruz in honor of her friend Ziva Mitnick on the first night of Hanukkah. The gathering, headed up by Temple Beth El of Aptos, included traditional songs, treats and greeting one another. Hanukkah is a Jewish festival observed for eight nights and days, starting with lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches. About 90 people gathered as the sun set.