HANUKKAH TO BEGIN : HOLIDAY CELEBRATES WIN IN BATTLE FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.

Byline: Tracy Valeri Daily News Staff Writer

Beginning at sundown tonight, Jews will kindle the first candles of Hanukkah, recalling an ancient battle fought over religious freedom and a miracle that is central to the eight-day festival.

Hanukkah, considered a minor holiday on the Jewish calendar, celebrates the Jews' victory over the Syrian Greeks and the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 165 BCE after it was defiled during a three-year war.

The holiday is embellished by the lighting of the menorah.

In addition, Jews will also gather together to exchange gifts or gelt. Traditional foods, such as latkes, potato pancakes, and sufganiyot, doughnuts fried in oil, also are eaten during holiday celebrations.

``We celebrate by lighting the Hanukkah menorah which also serves to recall the legend of the miracle of the oil,'' says Susan Neubauer, education director at Temple Solael in West Hills. ``But the real issue is the war that was the first war ever fought for religious freedom.''

Although the origin of lighting candles on Hanukkah is disputed, it has come to symbolize Jewish survival.

A Talmudic account maintains that when Judah Maccabee, who led the Jewish soldiers, regained the temple, he only found enough oil to burn for only one day. But miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days.

During Hanukkah, one flame is kindled on the menorah each night for a total of eight nights, and special prayers are recited.

``The Hanukkah lamp is a metaphor for the Jews, who have always interacted and shared in the societies and cultures in which they've lived, yet still retained their own integrity,'' said Nancy Berman, director of the Skirball Museum.

The Skirball Cultural Center and Museum, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., in Los Angeles, has an extensive collection of menorahs and Hanukkah lamps dating to the 17th century on display as part of: ``Visions and Values: From Antiquity to America.''

In addition to home celebrations, a number of community Hanukkah celebrations are planned.

On Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., a Hanukkah Festival will be held at Skirball. People can learn the story of Hanukkah and celebrate with food, music, dreidel- and menorah-making and gallery activities.

For ticket information call [phone].

In the West San Fernando Valley on Sunday, Cantor Caren Glasser of Temple Kol Tikvah will headline a Hanukkah Festival sponsored by the Jewish Federation Valley Alliance from noon to 5 p.m.

The festival is set at the Bernard Milken Jewish Community Campus, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills. There will be activities for teens and a Judaica boutique. Call [phone] for information.

In the East Valley, from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jewish rock musician Sam Glaser and children's entertainer Robbo will perform at the Valley Cities Jewish Community Center.

The center is located at 13164 Burbank Blvd. in Van Nuys. For more information, call [phone].

CAPTION(S):

PHOTO Bernice Lieberman shows kindergarten students at the North Val ley Jewish Community Center how to light the Hanukkah menorah.

Phil McCarten/Daily News