December 7, 2023

Celebrate Chanukah with Us!

Chanukah begins in the evening of Thursday, December 7,

Each night of Chanukah, we will share a new video lighting our Menorah

Be sure to join us on Facebook and Instagram each day at sundown!

Chanukah FUN! For Children and Families

Squirrel Hill

Second Floor Teens

ALL EVENTS ARE FOR TEENS
2:30-5:30 pm, The Second Floor, Robinson, JCC Squirrel Hill
For more info about The Second Floor programs, click HERE

South Hills: A Whole Latke Fun!

Monday, December 11, 6-7:30 pm

Temple Emanuel, 1250 Bower Hill Road, Mt. Lebanon

Join the JCC, PJ Library, Beth El Congregation and Temple Emanuel for an evening filled with latkes, sufganiyot, BINGO, and more!

Free to attend and open to the community.

RSVP by December 1 HERE

More info: Emma Litwak [email protected] 412-278-1782

LIGHT! A Multifaith Celebration Through Song

Thursday, December 14, 7-8:30 pm

Levinson Hall • JCC Squirrel Hill

FREE AND OPEN TO ALL

Sing with us and shine light in the darkness as we bring our diverse faith traditions together.
We will light candles for the eighth night of Chanukah.

Choirs include:
Rodef Shalom
Temple Sinai
The Church of Latter Day Saints
Baptist Temple Church “Fresh Anointing”

RSVP HERE

Contact: Rabbi Ron Symons [email protected]

The Story of Chanukah

Chanukah, an eight-day holiday that this year begins on the evening of Thursday, December 10, commemorates the re-dedication of the Jerusalem Temple by Judah the Maccabee in the second century B.C.E., when Syrian King Antiochus used force to impose Greek religion on the people of Israel. This caused an uprising led by Judah the Maccabee and a small band of poorly armed Jews who succeeded in overcoming Antiochus’s forces. Once the Maccabees prevailed, they entered the desecrated Temple and found an untainted jar of oil sufficient to light the Temple lamp for only one day. But a miracle occurred and that small amount of oil lasted for eight days. To commemorate that miracle, we light a Chanukah menorah for eight nights and eat foods cooked in oil.

About the Chanukah Menorah…

The menorah is perhaps one of the most widely recognized symbols of Jewish culture and is the centerpiece of the Chanukah celebration. But how much do you really know about it? We’re sharing the fast facts you need to know about the Chanukkiah – from its history and meaning to the logistics of lighting yours – because it’s so much more than just a candelabra! View our Chanukkiah infographic HERE

Make the Best Latkes

Tips and Recipe – “It’s About the Oil” HERE