Don’t look now but Chanukah is sneaking up on you! The Festival of Lights arrives only a few days after Thanksgiving this year and will be celebrated from Sunday evening, Nov. 28, to Monday night, Dec. 6.
The following are 20 Chanukah celebrations and gatherings around the Baltimore metropolitan area that you won’t want to miss.
‘Pre-Chanukah Concert’
Saturday, Nov. 27, Starting at 7:30 p.m.
7000 Rockland Hills Drive, Greengate
Join Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah Hebrew Congregation for a pre-holiday concert with Baltimore native and Silver Spring-based musician Yisroel Juskowicz and friends. For information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/5132218643472225/?ref=newsfeed.
‘Fired Up: A Beth Tfiloh Chanukah Celebration’
Sunday, Nov. 28, Starting at 4:45 p.m.
3300 Old Court Rd., Pikesville
For its yearlong centennial celebration, Beth Tfiloh Congregation will hold a Chanukah gathering that will include live music by the group Six13, holiday treats such as sufganiyot and latkes, a fireworks show and the lighting of a giant menorah. Enter the Beth Tfiloh campus using the east entrance (Torah Drive) only. The west entrance (Heming Way) will be blocked off. Parking available on synagogue and high school lots only. For information, click here.
‘Illumination Celebration: Share The Light’
Sunday, Nov. 28, Starting at 5 p.m.
3506 Gwynnbrook Ave., Owings Mills
The Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore and the Gordon Center for Performing Arts will kick off the Festival of Lights with a fire show. The visual show will include a multitude of acts such as fire jugglers, fire breathers, fire eaters, fire poi, fire hoops and five swords. The show will be led by world-renowned fire dancer Brittany Chandler. Admission to the event is free, but registration is required. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. For information, visit jcc.org/gordon-center/event/share-the-light.
‘Hanukkah Lights Up the Sky’
Monday, Nov. 29, Starting at 4:45 p.m.
8100 Stevenson Rd., Pikesville
Join Beth El Congregation and Chizuk Amuno Congregation and Schools for their annual “Hanukkah Lights Up the Sky” event. Includes musical entertainment, dinner (veggie, tuna and egg salad), latkes and suganiyot, activities for kids and fireworks. (Organizers request that attendees bring new board games to donate to Camp Sunrise, the weeklong summer camp of Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.) Registration is required. For information, click here.
‘Chanukah in Nachlaot Live Tour’
Tuesday, Nov. 30, Starting at 11 a.m.
The Baltimore Zionist District and StandWithUs will present a virtual gathering led by Yoni Zierler, director of strategic tourism at StandWithUs Israel. Attendees will see daily life in Israel while on a live tour of Jerusalem’s hip Nachlaot neighborhood and the stalls of its Machaneh Yehuda Market. To register, click here.
‘Shomrei Emunah Chanukah Party’
Tuesday, Nov. 30, Starting at 5:45 p.m.
6221 Greenspring Ave., Cheswolde
Join Shomrei Emunah Congregation for its Chanukah party featuring David Chu’s buffet, family Bingo, dreidel games and prizes. To register, visit shomreiemunah.org/form/2021Chanukah.
‘Latkes, Love and Language: A Chanukah Celebration of LGBTQIA+ Identity’
Tuesday, Nov. 30, Starting at 6:30 p.m.
3506 Gwynnbrook Ave., Owings Mills
On the third night of Chanukah, satisfy your taste buds with Chef Dan’s latkes and warm your heart with “The Sign For Love,” an Israeli documentary about two deaf co-parents raising a child together, exploring the meaning and experience of family. In partnership with Beth Am Synagogue, Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, Beth Israel Congregation, Bolton Street Synagogue, Chizuk Amuno Congregation and Schools, Chevrei Tzedek, Eshel, Faith Community of Baltimore with Pride, Gordon Center for Performing Arts, Repair the World, and supported by JPride, The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore and the Embassy of Israel. For information, click here.
‘Illuminating Justice’
Tuesday, Nov. 30, Starting at 7 p.m.
Virtual
Jews United for Justice and the Baltimore Jewish Council will present a virtual program on the most pressing issues of the day concerning working families in Maryland (paid family and medical leave, renters’ rights, eviction prevention, etc.) during the upcoming General Assembly legislative session. For information, visit https://jcfb.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUpcuiuqz8jHtUIdE8er-mp4tw9Hr-c80oa
‘Light Up The Night’
Wednesday, Dec. 1, Starting at 5 p.m.
Patterson Park (at the corner of Patterson Park Avenue and East Baltimore Street), in East Baltimore
For the fourth night of the holiday, the historic B’nai Israel Synagogue of Lloyd Street will host a menorah lighting and Chanukah celebration in Patterson Park, in partnership with the Jewish Museum of Maryland, Hadassah Greater Baltimore and Community Connectors, a program of the Center for Jewish Education. Sufganiyot will be served. For information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/4937459922932720/.
‘Menorah Lighting at the Quarry’
Wednesday, Dec. 1, Starting at 7:15 p.m.
2800 Quarry Lake Dr., Pikeville
Chabad Lubavitch of Maryland and Chabad of Park Heights will present a menorah lighting at the Quarry Lake at Greenspring, featuring a fire and light show, refreshments, music, crafts and more. This event will also feature the conclusion of the annual community menorah car parade. For information, visit chabadofparkheights.com/.
‘Hands On Holidays: Chanukah’
Thursday, Dec. 2, Starting at 11 a.m.
3641 Falls Rd., Hampden
Celebrate Chanukah with the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore and the Enoch Pratt Free Library at the latter’s Hampden branch. The celebration features songs, story-time and a special holiday craft project. This indoor program — best for children through age 5 — has limited spaces and registration is required. To register, call the Hampden Branch at 410-396‑6043.
‘Light Up The Night’
Thursday, Dec. 2, Starting at 5 p.m.
414 Light St., Downtown Baltimore
For the fifth night of the holiday, the historic B’nai Israel Synagogue of Lloyd Street will host a menorah lighting and Chanukah celebration in Downtown Baltimore, in partnership with the Jewish Museum of Maryland, Hadassah Greater Baltimore and Community Connectors, a program of the Center for Jewish Education. An indoor holiday celebration will follow the outdoor menorah lighting. For information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/4937459922932720/.
‘YJP Drinks & Dreidels ‘
Thursday, Dec. 2, Starting at 7 p.m.
901 S. Bond Street, Fells Point
Chabad of Downtown’s Young Jewish Professionals group will host a Chanukah party at Bond Street Social. The event will include a menorah lighting, hors d’oeuvres, gourmet latkes and donuts, a premium open car and a cash bar. For information, click here.
‘Menorah Lighting Historic Ellicott City’
Friday, Dec. 3, Starting at 3 p.m.
8394 Main St., Corner of Main Street and Ellicott Mills Drive, Old Ellicott City
Chabad of Ellicott City will present a public menorah lighting and Chanukah celebration at the historic Thomas Isaac Cabin in Old Ellicott City. Among the dignitaries expected to be in attendance will be Howard County Council Member Liz Walsh (D-1st). There will be a kids program, music kosher donuts and Chanukah gifts. For information visit chabadellicottcity.com/.
‘Light Up The Night’
Friday, Dec. 3, Starting at 4 p.m.
Outside of B’nai Israel Synagogue and the Jewish Museum of Maryland, 27 Lloyd St. in East Baltimore
Prior to the start of Shabbat, the historic B’nai Israel Synagogue of Lloyd Street will host a menorah lighting and Chanukah celebration for the sixth night of the holiday, in partnership with the Jewish Museum of Maryland, Hadassah Greater Baltimore and Community Connectors, a program of the Center for Jewish Education. Micha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Maariv service will follow. For information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/4937459922932720/.
‘Havdalah & Chanukah Roll & Stroll’
Saturday, Dec. 4, Starting at 6:30 p.m.
5885 Robert Oliver Way, Columbia
Columbia Jewish Congregation will present at Havdalah service and Chanukah candle-lighting program. Glow sticks will be provided, songs will be sung, and snacks are included. To register, visit columbiajewish.org/havdalah-chanukah-roll-stroll/.
`Parking Lot Chanukah Party at MMAE’
Saturday, Dec. 4, Starting at 7:30 p.m.
7000 Rockland Hills Drive, Greengate
Join Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah Hebrew Congregation for a rollicking celebratiton of Chanukah’s seventh night. Includes giant menorah lighting, a sing-along, “Top 10 Things You Need to Know about Chanukah” with Rabbi Yerachmiel Shapiro and Eli Finkelstein, a dreidel contest, a raffle and a goodie bag with Chanukah treats. For information, call 410-653-7485 or visit mmae.org/.
‘Chizuk Musical Hanukkah Extravaganza’
Sunday, Dec. 5, Starting at1:30 p.m.
8100 Stevenson Rd., Pikesville (or virtually)
Join Chizuk Amuno Synagogue’s Cantor Randy Herman and a band for an hour of holiday music. Special guests include the Kol Rinah choir and backup singers. For information, visit chizukamuno.org/event/chizuk-musical-hanukkah-extravaganza-w/-cantor-herman-.html.
‘Latke Vs. Hamantashen Debate & Pre-Ravens Tailgate’
Sunday, Dec. 5, Starting at 2:30 p.m.
2501 Eutaw Pl., Reservoir Hill
Beth Am Synagogue will present this special holiday and culinary-themed debate moderated by WYPR’s Aaron Henkin, followed at 3:30 by a menorah lighting, a mezuzah affixation ceremony and a tailgate reception. For information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/647480289753679/?acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A%2229%22%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3A%22plan_user_invited%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D¬if_id=1637615922004265¬if_t=plan_user_invited&ref=notif.
‘Ariel Chanukah Party’
Sunday, Dec. 5, Starting at 4 p.m.
6701 Old Pimlico Rd., Pikesville
The Ariel Jewish Center, which serves the local Russian-speaking community, will present “DJ MaXiM Going Yiddish,” a family-fun Chanukah party with music, dinner and children’s programming. For information, click here.
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