More than 35 people joined the Chabad-Lubavitch of Orange County, N.Y.'s Jewish Women's Circle for its pre-Chanukah celebration and in making hair accessories for children in local hospitals.

Chana Burston, co-director of the Goshen, N.Y.-based Chabad House and leader of its women's circle, delivered a lecture titled "The Power of Light" while participants enjoyed potato latkes and other traditional Chanukah treats.

"Chanukah celebrates light conquering darkness, the triumph of good over evil, of spirit over materialism," explained Burston. "The flickering flames of the Chanukah menorah remind us that 'a little bit of light dispels a lot of darkness."

After a round of singing, the women used silks, ribbons, lace, rhinestones and flowers to design the array of hair bands, scrunchies and hair clips. They then wrapped the gifts along with chocolate coins and dreidels.

"This is the spiritual quality of candles," commented Burston. "One candle lights another, but the original candle remains bright. The light is not diminished.

Similarly, "every positive action we do in this world brings light to the universe and has a ripple effect beyond what we can imagine."