Finding local stores that carry Hanukkah gifts or wrapping paper is challenging for people of the Jewish faith living in Cape Coral.
Temple Beth Shalom will open a small shop in its lobby tonight selling Judaica gifts for Hanukkah, which starts today at sundown.
Mark Glick, temple treasurer, said Hanukkah gifts will be available from 6-8 p.m.
“It will be right at the temple in the lobby,” he said. “Everything from Menorah candles to dreidels, cards, wrapping paper and little gifts.”
Glick said it is sometimes difficult for Jewish families to find wrapping paper or Hanukkah gifts in this region.
“There are some general merchandise stores which have them. The closest one is in Naples,” he said. “All of the temples usually have a Judaica shop to purchase Hanukkah-related gifts.”
The Festival of Lights begins at the temple with the lighting of the first menorah candle tonight. Each subsequent night a new candle is lit and eight nights later, on Dec. 19, the holiday ends.
Hanukkah celebrates the Jewish victory over the Syrians in 165 B.C. when they lit a menorah and even though the oil was only enough for one day, the flames lasted eight days.
Starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, the temple will host a latke party where gifts will be given out and families can eat salads, sweets and latkes, a type of potato pancake.
Glick said the public is welcome to attend the lighting of the first candle tonight and the latke party Saturday.
Temple Beth Shalom is located at 702 S.E. 24th Ave. For more information about Hanukkah events, call 772-4555.