Eight crazy nights in Worcester: Everything to know about Hanukkah in Central Mass.
WORCESTER ― With Thanksgiving and Black Friday in the rear view, Hanukkah, the eight-day festival of lights, has arrived. The Jewish holiday begins at sundown Thursday and ends at sundown Dec. 15.
The holiday celebrates the Maccabees' victory over their oppressors and a miracle, where a single jar of oil lasted for eight nights. Now those eight nights are honored by lighting a hanukkiah, or menorah.
Just like many other holidays and traditions within the Jewish faith, Hanukkah has a plethora of delicious meals like latkes and sufganiyot, or jelly-filled doughnuts. These fried treats are an ode to the eight-day miracle, during which the single jar of oil burned for more than a week.
More: When is Hanukkah in 2023? When it starts, why it's celebrated and how to honor Jewish tradition.
Where to get your latkes and sufganiyot
Worcester has a couple of kosher delis and Jewish eateries offering up traditional goodies, not just for the holiday but year-round.
Chani's Kosher Take-Out: 22 Newton Ave., Worcester
"Chani's Kosher deli is the only kosher place in Central Mass. to buy anything kosher for Hanukkah," said Mendal Fogelman, rabbi at Chabad Lubavitch of Central Massachusetts and owner of Chani's. "Latkes are flying out the door for the next 12 days and nights."
The Jewish deli has been serving up delicious kosher foods year-round since 2020 and raises funds for the Chabad Lubavitch of Central Massachusetts, supporting after-school programs and scholarships.
The deli makes sufganiyot and latkes fresh every single morning.
Helfand's Deli: 143 Highland St., Worcester
Bringing the traditional New York-style deli to Worcester, Helfand's Deli serves up latkes and knishes every day.
"We see steady business throughout the year," chef and owner Michael Sobel said. "But this time of year, we definitely see an uptick in catering."
They are offering catering options throughout the holidays from trays of mini-latkes and mini-knish, to noodle kugel. Please note their menu is not kosher.
Sobel grew up in Worcester, "watching his grandmother and mother make amazing Jewish specialties for her family and cooking for seniors at the Worcester JCC."
Hanukkah celebrations in the Worcester area
Menorah lighting on the Worcester Common: Thursday at 5 p.m.
Kick things off with the annual Menorah lighting on Worcester Common this Thursday evening. With food, music and fun for the entire family, it's the perfect event to start the celebration.
CHECK OUT CHANUKAH FESTIVITIES 2023/5784
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Hanukkah Lighting and Erev Shabbat Service at Beth Tikvah Synagogue, Westborough: Friday from 7 to 9 p.m.
All are welcome to the service Friday on the Grafton Common for a menorah lighting at 6:30 p.m. The synagogue will also be streaming the service live on their social media.
Kelley Square Menorah Lighting: Dec. 11 at 4:30 p.m.
Hanukkah celebration at Congregation Beth Israel: Dec. 10 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Beth Israel on Jamesbury Drive is opening its doors to everyone this holiday for a Hanukkah celebration Dec. 10. The organization is celebrating with crafts, bingo, cookie decorating, a latke supper and gift swap. The event runs from 4 to 7 p.m.
Hanukkah celebration at Congregation B'nai Shalom
Hanukkah Shabbat Family Dinner & Service, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m.
Hanukkah Lights, Doughnuts and Concert, Dec. 10 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Congregation B'nai Shalom is hosting a number of events to celebrate the festival of lights.
Bring your appetite and the whole family to pre-service Hanukkah dinner. With a menu of delicious deli-eats including latkes and chicken nuggets for the kids. The organization is asking attendees to bring a menorah.
The family-friendly concert event kicks off with doughnuts, hot chocolate and hot cider, followed by a menorah lighting event, songs and a movie for the youngsters in the audience.
Hanukkah Storytime at Shrewsbury Library: Dec. 13 at 4:30 p.m.
Bring the kids to Shrewsbury Library for an afternoon of all things Hanukkah. There will be stories, songs and arts and crafts for kids between the ages of 2 to 8. No registration required.
Hanukkah at Polar Park: Dec. 14, 5 to 8 p.m.
The community is welcome to celebrate this Hanukkah event. While it is free to attend, organizers are asking people to register ahead of time.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester prepares for the 2023 Hanukkah celebration
