Yes, Virginia, there is a Chanukah, regardless of how you spell the holiday’s darned name, and it’s almost here! So get out your dreidels, chocolate gelt coins, latkes and menorahs for the Festival of Lights, which this year will be observed from Dec. 22-30.
Looking for different and creative ways to celebrate your passion for the eight-day holiday? Other than listen to Adam Sandler’s goofy-albeit-immortal “The Chanukah Song” over and over again? Jmore offers 18 (or Chai) of the hottest Chanukah happenings around the community this season. Chag Sameach and a freylich Chanukah!
Shabannukah!
Friday, Dec. 20, 6:15 p.m.
Bolton Street Synagogue, 212 W. Cold Spring Lane, Roland Park
An integrated (and clever!) celebration of Shabbat and Chanukah with a community menorah lighting, a potluck dinner at 6:30 and a service at 7:30 p.m. For information, call 410-235-5354 or visit https://boltonstreet.org/.
Chanukah in Hunt Valley
Saturday, Dec. 21, 4:30-6 p.m.
Hunt Valley Town Centre, 118 Shawan Rd.
Join the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore at Wegmans (in the upstairs dining area) for Chanukah activities, story-time and a special sing-along with Chanukah tunes. Activities include making Chanukah candles, spinning dreidels, decorating tzedakah boxes, playing a healthy memory matching game, and enjoying treats from Wegmans. For information, contact Sharon Seigel at sseigel@jcc.org or visit jcc.org/event/chanukah-hunt-valley-towne-centre.
An A Cappella Chanukah (With No Harmonica!)
Sunday, Dec. 22, 3 p.m.
Gordon Center for Performing Arts, 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave., Owings Mills
The acclaimed six-man Jewish a cappella group Six13 will perform seasonal songs. For information, visit https://www.jcc.org/gordon-center/event/six13.
City Menorah Lighting
Sunday, Dec. 22, 2:30-5:30 p.m.
McKeldin Square, 101 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore
Join the City of Baltimore and Chabad Lubavitch for the annual lighting of the 32-foot-tall “Esther Ann Menorah,” which is tied for the world’s largest menorah, according to event organizers.There will also be a live kids’ show, jelly doughnuts, hot drinks, and family activities and entertainment. For information, call Rabbi Velvel Belinsky at 410-736-3663 or email rabbi@arielcenter.org.
A Beth El Chanukah
Sunday, Dec. 22, 4:30-6 p.m.
Beth El Congregation, 8101 Park Heights Ave., Offit Auditorium, Pikesville
The synagogue’s celebration of the Festival of Lights includes a BYOM (Bring Your Own Menorah) candle-lighting ceremony, a holiday sing-along and a light dinner. For information, email melanie@bethelbalto.com or visit https://bethelbalto.com/hanukkah-celebration
Howard County Candle Lighting
Sunday, Dec. 22, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball III, the Jewish Federation of Howard County and the Howard County Board of Rabbis will hold a community candle-lighting ceremony. There will also be holiday songs and light refreshments. All ages are welcome. For information, email jnelson@jewishhowardcounty.org.
Chanukah Parade
Monday, Dec. 23, 5:45-6:45
Cars with menorahs strapped to the roofs? Check out the annual “Menorah Parade” as it travels through Baltimore city and county streets and thoroughfares. On the second night of Chanukah, see the 70-plus cars, police and fire vehicles light up the night. This year, there will be a newly expanded route, ending with a grand menorah lighting at Market Maven, 1630 Reisterstown Rd. in Pikesville. Presented by Chabad Centers of Greater Baltimore. For information about this year’s parade route, visit https://www.chabadofparkheights.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/2384311/jewish/-Chanukah-Parade-Route.htm
Chanukah Party at Tudor Heights
Tuesday, Dec. 24, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Tudor Heights, 7218 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore
Join volunteers from Jewish Volunteer Connection and help lead a Chanukah party at the Pikesville senior community. Activities will include singing songs, prayers, passing out jelly donuts and socializing with residents. Volunteers will be asked to contribute kosher jelly donuts for the party. This event is part of JVC’s Community Mitzvah Day program on Dec. 24-25. Volunteer restrictions: under age 16 must have parental supervision. For information, visit https://jvcbaltimore.org/event/mitzvah-day-tudor-heights-party/.
Chanukah Game Night & Chinese Dinner
Tuesday, Dec. 24, 7-9:30 p.m.
Chabad House of Downtown, 407 High St., East Baltimore
Join Chabad of Downtown’s Young Jewish Professionals group for a night of fun, camaraderie, Chinese food (as traditionally mandated on X-Mas Eve) and Chanukah refreshments. For information, visit https://www.bmorejewish.com/tools/events/default_cdo/aid/418840/fbclid/IwAR3ZLRpNCUjqGlmaWdo09SmxK6UQOgj1f_Ta4vufBjXsRLkJPJy5URsVMfI/jewish/Event-Reservations.htm.
Mitzvah Day & Chanukah Celebration
Wednesday, Dec. 25, 9-10:30 a.m.
Bet Yeladim Preschool, 8910 Old Annapolis Rd., Columbia
Join the Jewish Federation of Howard County, PJ Library in Howard County and Bet Yeladim Preschool for family-friendly volunteer projects and a Chanukah celebration. For children ages 3-8, along with grown-ups and siblings. For information, call Shauna Leavey at 410-730-4973, ext. 118, or email sleavey@jewishhowardcounty.org.
Chanukah in Chocolate Land (Yum!)
Thursday, Dec. 26, 5-9 p.m.
Owings Mills Chabad Center, 11229 Owings Mills Blvd.
“Chanukah in Chocolate Land” will feature a giant chocolate menorah, chocolate donut decorating, chocolate fondue fountain, chocolate art, hot chocolate, and of course, chocolate gelt. A pizza dinner will be served. For information, call 410-356-5156 or visit https://www.chabadom.com/.
Swingin’ Klezmer Chanukah Concert
Thursday, Dec. 26, 8 p.m.
An Die Musik, 409 N. Charles St. Baltimore
Join Seth Kibel & the Kleztet, with guitarist Michael Raitzyk (of Charm City Klezmer), tuba player Ed Goldstein, drummer Tim Jarvis and “maybe others” for a rollicking holiday concert at the An Die Musik venue. For information, call 410-385-2638. For information, visit https://www.instantseats.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.event&eventID=739DE7E9-C996-E946-7478FD11BF5B3CC2.
A BHC Chanukah
Friday, Dec. 27, 6:15-8 p.m.
Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, 7401 Park Heights Ave., Pikesville
BHC will hold its annual holiday dinner and celebration in its Dalsheimer Sanctuary. Bring your family menorah and candles, which will line the windows of the sanctuary. Dinner will immediately follow. For information, email bcohen@baltimorehebrew.org or visit https://www.baltimorehebrew.org/events/2019/12/27/dinner/chanukah-service-and-dinner/
Chanukah for Adults Only!
Friday, Dec. 27, 6:30-9 p.m.
Congregation Beit Tikvah, 5802 Roland Ave., Baltimore
Congregation Beit Tikvah in Roland Park will hold its annual Chanukah party for adults only. Activities include a doughnut-decorating competition, adult beverages, dreidel spinning and a communal lighting of multiple menorahs. This event is free, but donations are accepted. For information, call 410-464-9402 or visit https://beittikvah.org/.
A Beth Am Chanukah
Saturday, Dec. 28, 9:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Beth Am Synagogue, 2501 Eutaw Place, Reservoir Hill
For Shabbat Chanukah — the congregation’s first since returning to its historic building after a nearly yearlong renovation project — Beth Am will honor The Potts Legacy Society, with participation by members of the Potts family. The D’var Torah will be delivered by JoHannah Potts and Haftarah chanted by Kate Scher. Torah study will begin at 8:45 a.m. and sanctuary services at 9:30. For information, visit https://bethambaltimore.org/event/shabbat-hanukkah/?instance_id=11173
Latke Party in Highlandtown, Hon!
Sat. Dec. 28, 7-11 p.m.
Come enjoy a latke party at a private residence in “Hollandtown” for the seventh night of the Festival of Lights. Bring a side dish or a bottle of wine to share. Presented by the Baltimore Supper Club. For information, email kylie@baltimoresupperclub.org.
Chanukah Wonderland
Sunday, Dec. 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Park Heights JCC, 5700 Park Heights Ave.
Two days of fun-filled activities for the entire family — Chanukah arts & crafts, moon-bounce, toddler corner, face-painting, balloon animals, donut decorating, olive press demonstrations and food for purchase. This event is a partnership between the JCC of Greater Baltimore and Chabad of Park Heights. For information, call Shira Heideman at 410-500-5907 or email sheideman@jcc.org.
Ariel Jewish Center Chanukah Party (Just Say Da!)
Sunday, Dec. 29, 4-7 p.m.
Temple Oheb Shalom, Blaustein Auditorium 7310 Park Heights Ave., Pikesville
Singing and entertainment by Ukrainian-born entertainer Alex Berezin, with dinner from Pikesville’s Yesh Hummus and Grill. Special Program for children as well, plus a “Wheel of Fortune” game. Ariel is a synagogue and Jewish center for the local Russian-speaking community. For information, call Rabbi Velvel Belinsky at 410-736-3663 or email rabbi@arielcenter.org, or visit https://www.arielcenter.org/
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