Jewish Long Islanders kicked off the start of Hanukkah Tuesday.

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, continues for eight days. Wantagh resident Alyssa Weldon says, to her, Hanukkah is a time where we all come together and appreciate our religion and our community.

In Merrick, crowds huddled together under a gazebo and treated themselves to traditional foods like potato latkes with applesauce. 

Others, like 11-year-old Sami Gubin, of Bellmore, say they really like Hanukkah because they get to spend time with family and exchange gifts.