Chanukah Celebration at Beth El!

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Chanukah Celebration and Sing-A-Thon with Jim Gill 

Sponsored by the Steinberg Preschool and Young Family Programming 
Wednesday, December 18, 5:00-6:15 pm 

Get ready to sing, clap, dance and spin like a dreidel with award-winning musician and author Jim Gill. 
Plus, dinner, snacks, Chanukah games and more for families with children ages 0-7.  
The event is free but you must register! 

REGISTER HERE.

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Chinese Dinner & A Movie  

Monday, December 30, 4:30 pm 

Celebrate Hanukkah with the Gray Cultural & Learning Center, the Sisterhood, and Hazak with a special movie screening and a delicious kosher Chinese buffet. Watch your e-mail for more details about this popular annual event. 

4:30 pm Doors Open/Set-Up Your Chanukiyah. Bring your own Chanukah menorah and candles to light together as a community.
5:00 pm Movie Screening: iMordecai starring Judd Hirsch, Carol Kane and Sean Astin
6:45 pm Candle Lighting & Chanukah Songs with Hazzan Sandler. Kosher Chinese Dinner catered by Yoko Chicago.
7:30 pm Evening Minyan

$36/person; register online by December 20.

Questions? Contact Rachel Kamin at rkamin@nssbethel.org or 847-926-7902.

REGISTER HERE.

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Chanukah at Home

Food for Thought

 

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Here are some fun and interesting facts about Chanukah:

1. **The Miracle of the Oil**: Chanukah celebrates the miracle that occurred after the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. When the Jewish people relit the menorah, they only had enough oil for one day, but the oil miraculously lasted for eight days, long enough to prepare more sacred oil.

2. **Spinning the Dreidel**: The dreidel is a popular Chanukah game. The four sides of the spinning top each have a Hebrew letter: **Nun**, **Gimel**, **Hey**, and **Shin**, which stand for “Nes Gadol Haya Sham” (“A great miracle happened there”). In Israel, the dreidel letters are slightly different: **Nun**, **Gimel**, **Hey**, and **Pei** (for “A great miracle happened here”).

3. **Latkes and Sufganiyot**: One of the traditions of Chanukah is eating foods fried in oil, which symbolizes the miracle of the oil. Latkes (potato pancakes) are a classic treat in many Jewish households, and in Israel, people often enjoy **sufganiyot**—jelly-filled doughnuts.

4. **The Chanukah Menorah**: The menorah has nine branches: one for each night of Chanukah, plus the **shamash**, the “helper” candle used to light the others. The shamash is typically placed higher or apart from the other candles.

5. **Chanukah Gelt**: Giving **Chanukah gelt** (money or chocolate coins) to children is a popular tradition, symbolizing the gifts given during the holiday. It also encourages children to learn about the significance of the holiday and the value of charity.

6. **Chanukah’s Length**: Chanukah is celebrated for **eight days**, which is longer than most Jewish holidays. The eight days commemorate the miracle of the oil, which lasted eight days despite there only being enough for one.

7. **The Maccabees**: The holiday commemorates the victory of the **Maccabees**, a small group of Jewish rebels, over the powerful Greek-Syrian empire in the 2nd century BCE. The Maccabees’ victory restored Jewish sovereignty and the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

8. **The Traditional Blessings**: On each night of Chanukah, families recite special blessings before lighting the candles. One of the blessings praises God for the miracles performed for the Jewish people, and another thanks God for the commandment to light the Hanukkah candles.

9. **Chanukah Around the World**: Chanukah is celebrated in different ways across the globe. In some cultures, like in Turkey, there’s a tradition of eating **burma** (a sweet pastry) during the holiday, while in others, songs and dances are part of the festivities.

These fun facts highlight the rich history and meaningful traditions of Chanukah!

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Chanukah Songs Compiled By Hazzan Jacob Sandler