Hanukkah 2023: Town-wide events planned for eight-day holiday beginning Thursday
The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah begins Thursday at sundown and ends Friday, Dec. 15.
Known as the Festival of Lights, the eight-day holiday celebrates the rise of the Jewish people against Greek-Syrian oppressors.
Hanukkah represents the miracle of a one-day supply of oil for the rededicated Temple in Jerusalem lasting eight days. Jews observe it by lighting a menorah lamp every evening of the holiday.
Below is a list of holiday events that will take place throughout the town:
Hanukkah in Bradley Park
(corner of Sunset Place and Bradley Avenue) , 5-8 p.m. Thursday
• Entertainment for all ages includes kids' activities, photo booth, sports games, a jumbo slide and obstacle course. There also will be a soup and falafel bar, Hanukkah cuisine, an Israel solidarity menorah lit by Avi Lulu — the father of a Hamas hostage, and an appearance by the Electrifying LED Water Drum Trio.
RSVP at palmbeachsynagogue.org/bradleypark.
The Chabad House
361 S. County Road
• Hanukkah Wonderland at The Colony Hotel (155 Hammon Ave.): 3:30-5 p.m. Tuesday.
The event includes activities, booths, a bounce house, and a gelt drop by Palm Beach Fire Rescue. A light dinner plus latkes and doughnuts will be served. Lily will provide entertainment. Register at palmbeachjewish.com/daledarts or call Hindel Levitin at 347-564-8393.
• Hanukkah on Worth at The Mandel Recreation Center (340 Seaview Ave.): 5:30 p.m. Thursday.The community-wide celebration will feature the annual parachute chocolate gelt drop from Palm Beach Fire Rescue and The Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Team.
Enjoy a full-service buffet of brick-oven pizza, salads and more, plus a photo booth, kids’ crafts, and bounce house. Additionally, the Palm Beach Jewish Children’s Choir will present “It’s Gonna Be the Little Kinderlach." Rabbi Zalman Levitin and town officials will light the menorah.
Reservations are optional at palmbeachjewish.com/chanukah, or call The Chabad House at 561-659-3884.
• Shabbos Hanukkah at The Chabad House (361 S. County Road): 5:30 p.m. Friday for services and dinner; 9:30 a.m. Saturday for services and lunch.Reserve for Shabbos dinner at palmbeachjewish.com/shabbos or call The Chabad House at 561-659-3884.
• Hanukkah Soiree at The Colony Hotel (155 Hammon Ave.): 5-8 p.m. Dec. 12.Cafe Chabad is back for a one-night Hanukkah evening soiree. Enjoy a kosher dinner with fine wines and Hanukkah delicacies, plus live music and crafts for children. Group engagement specialist Silvio Berlfein will provide the entertainment. Rabbi Zalman Levitin and The Palm Beach Jewish Children's Choir will light the menorah.
Co-sponsored by The Colony Hotel and The Chabad House. Register at palmbeachjewish.com/chanukah, or call The Chabad House at 561-659-3884.
Palm Beach Synagogue
120 N. County Road
• Community Hanukkah Shabbat Dinner: 5 p.m. Friday.
Includes a menorah and Shabbat candle lighting. Dinner will follow services. The synagogue will welcome family members from the Kzar Afa community that was attacked by Hamas on Oct. 7. RSVP is required. Register at palmbeachsynagogue.org/chanukahshabbat.
• Hanukkah Family Craft Fair: 10 a.m. Sunday.
Children will have the opportunity to create glittered Hanukkah snow globes, handmade beeswax candles, personalized painted menorahs, holiday match boxes and decorated doughnuts. Crafts begin at 10 a.m., followed by lunch and latkes at noon. Register at palmbeachsynagogue.org/craft.
• Light up the fourth Night of Hanukkah at The Royal Poinciana Plaza west lawn (340 Royal Poinciana Way): Sunday 5-7:30 p.m.
The event will feature a DJ, Hanukkah crafts, balloon art, photo booth, cartoonist, Hanukkah cuisine, hors d'oeuvres, and a rolled ice cream experience. RSVP at palmbeachsynagogue.org/royal.
• Hanukkah concert featuring Dr. Laz and "The Sensations": Dec. 12, 5-7 p.m.
Children and adults with special needs are invited to attend this Project Connect event, which includes Hanukkah arts and crafts, face painting, menorah lighting, and dinner. Admission is free. Siblings are welcome. RSVP is required. To register, contact Rabbi Leibel at 746-666-7401 or projectconnect@palmbeachsynagogue.org.
Temple Emanu-El of Palm Beach
190 N. County Road
• Family Hanukkah Program and Dinner: 5:30 p.m. Friday.
Celebrate Hanukkah with latke-making, spinning dreidel contests, face painting, glitter tattoos, and a menorah lighting. There also will be singing, dancing, and a festive Shabbat meal.
RSVP is requested. Contact Isabelle@tepb.org or call the temple office at (561) 832-0804.
New Synagogue of Palm Beach
235 Sunrise Ave.
• Hanukkah concert, featuring Israeli Miami Stars Band: 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
Israeli Miami Stars Band will perform a mix of Klezmer music, contemporary and pop selections. No charge for admission, but registration is required. To register, visit www.newsynagogue.org.
• Tot Shabbat Hanukkah Celebration: 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
Pray, play, and prepare to welcome Shabbat and celebrate Hanukkah with friends and family by sharing songs and stories followed by a simple Shabbat meal and Hanukkah treats. Register at www.newsynagogue.org/tot-shabbat/.
Jodie Wagner is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at jwagner@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Hanukkah begins Thursday: Here's what's going on in Palm Beach
