WATERVILLE — The Beth Israel congregation came together for an in-person outdoor celebration Sunday on the eighth and final night of Hanukkah.

The synagogue normally holds a joint celebration at some point during Hanukkah, but last year during the pandemic, officials went door to door instead, Rabbi Rachel Isaacs said. That didn’t have quite the same community feel; so this year, with the public-health picture improved by the available vaccines, the synagogue returned to an in-person event. It took place outdoors, and was shorter than usual given the cold weather.

“We’re really happy that we’re in a different place right now, that we can physically gather, that we can eat together, that we can sing together,” Isaacs said. “And even though it might not be the most normal Hanukkah party, it is much more normal than last year.”

The holiday was inspired by the military victory of the Maccabees and the Jewish people over the Syrian-Greek empire, Isaacs said. They defeated the much stronger Syrian Greeks, and reclaimed the temple that the enemy had defiled.

The length of the holiday comes from the story that when the Maccabees returned to the temple, there was only enough olive oil to light the menorah for one night — but it miraculously burned for eight nights straight.

The word Hanukkah, translated from Hebrew, means rededication. The timing of the remembrance varies from year to year, anywhere from mid-November to mid-December, because the holiday follows the lunar Jewish calendar that includes a leap month every four years.

Around 50 people attended the event. Congregants brought everything from latkes to sufganiyot — a traditional Hanukkah delicacy that’s a cross between a beignet and a jelly donut.

Visitors greeted friends, children ran around and everyone enjoyed the food. The group sang Hanukkah songs before praying and lighting the menorahs.

“I just want to thank all of you, because creating joy and creating light, even though it takes so much more time and work, that’s what makes life worth living,” Isaacs said at the celebration.