It’s Hanukkah Time!
December 10, 2020
At sundown tonight begins the first night of Hanukkah – an eight-night celebration of “the festival of lights.”
We’ve compiled eight family activities for you and yours to celebrate this festive holiday together at home.
First Off…What is Hanukkah?
In the clip below, our friend Elmo learns the story of Hanukkah by watching host Veronica Monica, from The Hanukkah Channel.
PJ Library also shares the story of Hanukkah in their Have I Got A Story For You! series. Listen to The Hanukkah Story here.
What Do You Do To Celebrate?
During this special time, family and friends gather together and celebrate by lighting the Hanukkah candles, eating delicious latkes (potato pancakes) or sufganiyot (deep-fried, jelly-filled donuts), and playing dreidel (a game featuring a spinning top). Many families exchange gifts during Hanukkah, too.
(As a reminder, with the rise of COVID-19 positive cases in our area – nola family reminds you to stick to your “krewe,” wear your facial covering, and safely practice social distancing.)
8 Fun Ways to Celebrate Chanukah*
Tonight, celebrate the first night of Chanukah – virtually! The Chabad Lubavitch of Louisiana presents the virtual Chanukah @ Riverwalk at 5:30 pm. Click here to live stream the event.
Make your own menorah. Use all the toilet paper rolls you have saved from quarantine, along with paint, construction paper, stickers, etc. Follow along as The Parenting Center at Children’s Hospital shows us how to create this simple project.
Read Hanukkah-related books to your family. Here are a few you can find at Octavia Books.
On Sunday, December 13, join the Uptown JCC for Dreidels & Doughnuts. This drive-thru Chanukah celebration features music by Panorama Jazz Band, doughnuts from Krispy Kreme, holiday decorations, and a dancing dreidel. Presented by the JCC and Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana, this event is free and open to the community but reservations are required. Click here for more details or to register.
Listen to fun Chanukah-related stories on YouTube. In Antlers With Candles, author Chris Barash reads her story of a young child who discovers some strange items. With the help of his father, dreidels, latkes, a menorah, and the joy of celebrating with family.
Create watercolor dreidels to decorate your home for Hanukkah. Or, try one of these creative crafts from Creative Jewish Mom.
Learn to make latkes with SoFAB! On Wednesday, December 14, at 4 pm, Live Kids Cooking Classes with SoFAB Kids‘ Miss Jennie teaches kids 7-11 years old (and adults young-at-heart!) how to cook latkes via zoom and FB Live. Class runs 1-hour and is FREE! You can find the recipe here.
Make paper dreidels and have fun playing together. Click here to learn how to play.
No matter how you celebrate the Festival of Lights tonight or over the next eight days, we hope your home will be bright with joy and happiness.
*Yes! This special celebration can be spelled Hanukkah or Chanukah.