With the lighting of the first candle on Saturday, Chanukah celebrations were held around Toronto this week. Here are a few of the many gatherings held around the city.

A Chanukah party for seniors last weekend at 6250 Bathurst St. was attended by more than 140 seniors. Pictured, from left, are Rabbi Yurmi Cohen, his son Mendy Cohen, MPP Monte Kwinter, Rabbi Chai Cohen, Chaya Cohen and Toronto Councillor James Pasternak.

Associated Hebrew Schools’ students Ezra, left, and Eva light the first candle for Chanukah during a special ceremony Dec. 7 at Baycrest’s Reuben Cipin Healthy Living Community, an independent seniors’ residence. The five-year-olds were part of a group of 96 senior kindergarten students visiting the community for the candlelighting, which was followed by the children singing and dancing to traditional Chanukah songs with the residents. [Jessica Lee/Baycrest photo]

Congregation Beth Ora grades 3 – 5 girls light the 4th Chanukah candle
together. [Amiel Bender photo]