Chanukah may not technically be the most important holiday on the Jewish calendar, but the Festival of Lights is still cause for celebration. Though there is a Jewish chapel on Fort Lewis it has a limited schedule, which often forces military families to seek off-post services, especially at the holidays.

Temple Beth El in Tacoma is home to quite a few military families and on the first night of Chanukah they came together to light the menorah and share a meal.

Leah Weissman, whose husband, Sgt. David Weissman, is in the 864th Engineering Brigade, has found that going off-post is easier. Having been in the military community for six years, she is now in the process of converting to Judaism.

"When we were stationed at Fort Polk, La., we had to travel over an hour to even find a synagogue," she explained. "Being at this post and having this temple is a mitzvah, a major blessing." For the Weissmans, having a place to practice their faith is tantamount since David works as a chaplain's assistant.

"We feel like we are part of a family here," she said. Being so far from relatives and home is always a challenge for military, but having a strong religious network can lessen that stress, especially at this time of year. Being able to create ties and make friends has definitely benefited Weissman, who has three small children and is facing David's second deployment to Afghanistan in a few months.

For 13 years, Air Force reservist Adam Torem has attended Temple Beth El with his family. They were stationed at McChord on active duty for a few years and formed a strong bond within the local Jewish community.

"I don't think I am discriminated against or that the military is biased, but I am always in the minority," he said. A few organizations focus on that issue and exist to garner support for Jewish servicemembers. Both www.operationsupportjewsinthemilitary.com and www.jewsingreen.com provide things like lists of area synagogues and information about the Jewish services offered on each base.

Likewise, Weissman doesn't feel badly about being in the minority, but recently when she noticed some new additions at the PX, like Chanukah-themed wrapping paper and party goods, she said she was happy to finally see it among all the Christmas paraphernalia. "And I bought it," she said with a smile.

"There is a definite sense of welcoming and an effort to understand even though they are not in the military themselves," Torem said of the Beth El congregation. One large proponent of acceptance is information, which Rabbi Bruce Kadden promotes by inviting Torem to speak in uniform every Veterans Day.

"It is nice to have a place where I am recognized for my service and my faith at the same time," Torem said.

The Jewish Services chapel, located at Liggett Ave. and 12th St. on-post, will host a Chanukah party on Dec. 18 for all military and their families.