Hanukkah Happenings (and you can still purchase a tumbler!)

Keeping Connected  December 2023

There is a lot going on during the month of December before we take a short winter break.  Hanukkah, which begins on the 25th of Kislev (night of December 7) brings with it lots of joy and excitement. The Hebrew School classes will work on chanting the three Hanukkah blessings, along with learning some other Hanukkah related words. Sunday classes will take some time to celebrate Hanukkah through games, information and G’imult Chasadim (acts of loving kindness).

Here are some school related Hanukkah programs and services that you won’t want to miss this season! We hope to see you at Congregation Shalom celebrating Hanukkah together.

5th Annual Hanukkah Menorah Creation Contest – Now through the morning of December 10

Create your own Hanukkah Menorah (Hanukkiah) by yourself, with friends or with your family.  We challenge you to create a unique menorah using any materials you would like. The menorah does not need to work but it does need to have nine branches, one for each night plus the shamash (helper candle). Bring your creative menorah to the temple so that it can be showcased in the lobby, as well as online.  Voting will begin in-person during the School Hanukkah party on December 10 and will continue online through December 14. Will you win the contest year?

Family Shabbat Hanukkah Service – Friday, December 8 at 7pm (preceded by a school Shabbat dinner)

Join together at this family service to welcome Shabbat, support our students and celebrate Hanukkah. This service will be filled with music, Hanukkah lights and a sense of peace. If you plan to join us for dinner at 6pm, please let Deborah know of your plans.

Tot Hanukkah Havdalah – Saturday, December 9 at 5pm

Join Congregation Shalom, in partnership with PJ Library for this interactive service, which will include drumming for all and a joyful celebration of Hanukkah.

Religious School Hanukkah Party – Sunday, December 10, 10:30am – noon (after a morning of classes from 9am-10:30am)

Plan to join us for our traditional school Hanukkah Party. Students and families will join together to celebrate Hanukkah, complete with a DJ, games, crafts, latkes, and snacks. This is always a favorite event of the year. Please bring a nut-free snack to share.  Contact brotherhood@congregationshalom.org if you are able to help prepare latkes in the kitchen in the morning

Congregation Shalom’s BIG Menorah

Our BIG menorah, make by Chai Schoolers several years ago, will be outside the temple doors all through Hanukkah. Feel free to come by any night to light the menorah with friends and family. Our community will gather on four different times to light the BIG menorah together.

  • December 8 – 6:45pm
  • December 9 – 6:00pm
  • December 10 – 12:00pm
  • December 13 – 5:45p

Jewish Star Tumblers

Finally, we are still selling our school-made tumblers, through the month of December. Students in the school each drew and colored a Jewish Star. It has been fun to watch the students try to find their own star on the tumbler. Please let Deborah know if would like to purchase one of the beautiful Jewish Star tumblers, for the price of $25.

 

Schedule for December

  • Sunday, December 3

            Religious School, 9:00am – 11:00am

            6th grade Family Ed, 9:00am – 11:00am

            Kitah Aleph, 11:00am – 12:15pm

  • Wednesday, December 6

            Hebrew School, 4:15pm – 6:00pm

  • Friday, December 7

            6:00pm – Family Shabbat Dinner – all school families are invited

            7:00pm – Hanukkah Shabbat – led by the 4th/5th grade

  • Saturday, December 8

            Tot Hanukkah Havdalah – 5:00pm

  • Sunday, December 10

            Religious School, 9:00am – 10:30am

            School Hanukkah Party for students and families – 10:30am – Noon

            NO Kitah Aleph

  • Wednesday, December 13

            Hebrew School, 4:15pm – 6:00pm

  • Sunday, December 17

            Religious School, 9:00am – 11:00am

            Bagels, Blocks and Beyond Playgroup, 9am – 10:30am

            5th grade parent meeting with Rabbi Perry – 10:30am

  • Wednesday, December 20

            Hebrew School, 4:15pm – 6:00pm

  • Sunday, December 24 – NO SCHOOL
  • Wednesday, December 27 – NO SCHOOL
  • Sunday, December 31 – NO SCHOOL
  • Wednesday, January 3, 2024

            Hebrew School, 4:15pm – 6:00pm

  • Friday, January 5, 2024

            6:00pm – Family Shabbat Dinner – all school families are invited

            7:00pm – Hanukkah Shabbat – led by the 1st, 2nd, 3rd graders

  • Sunday, January 7, 2024

            Religious School, 9:00am – 11:00am

            Kitah Aleph, 11:00am – 12:15pm