Chanukah

Community-Wide Events

Chanukah Singing Session
Tuesday, December 12, 7:30 PM
Home-hosted, please RSVP to programming@ftjc.org
Beautify your Chanukah by adding buoyant, lovely, and diverse songs to your repertoire. I'll teach one each in English, Hebrew, Yiddish, and Ladino. For that moment when you want to keep basking in the candles' glow, but you've already sung Maoz Tsur and I Have a Little Dreydl.... Choosing from a selection of prepared songs, we'll focus on those that are lesser-known and match the interests of the group. Transliterations provided. If you'd like, bring a beverage to share that makes you want to sing.

Shabbat Chanukah Tisch
Friday, December 15, 8:30 PM
Come for a chill social gathering, singing, learning, and yummy food in honor of our beloved festival of lights!
Please click here for more information.

Children & Families Celebrations

Zera’im (Newborn to 3 years old)
Seeds of Chanukah
Saturday December 9, 4:15-5:30 PM
This event is home-hosted. Please RSVP to youth@ftjc.org for the address.
Come for a Chanukah-themed Shabbat afternoon gathering, full of play, singing, stories and treats among friends. We will join together for Havdalah at the end of the program! Please bring a kosher snack to share. Hope to see you and your little ones there!

Nitzanim and Shorashim (pre-K thru 5th Grade)
Family Chanukah Celebration
Saturday, December 16, 4:15-5:45 PM
Castle Village Community Room, 110 Cabrini Blvd.
Come join us on Shabbat afternoon to celebrate Chanukah and Shabbat! We will explore the theme of "overcoming adversity" as we play some games, read some stories, eat some snacks, sing some songs, and most importantly—light some candles! Please RSVP to Alyssa Schwager so we know how much food to get!

Anafim (6th - 8th Grade) and Teens (9th - 12th Grade)
Chanukah Dreidel-Off
Sunday, December 17, 7:00 PM
Home-hosted. Please RSVP to dani.kogan@ftjc.org for the address.
Join the Teens and Anafim for a fast-paced, competitive dreidel battle, fighting for the most chocolate gelt and sufganiyot (jelly donuts) while Rugrats Chanukah--an undeniable classic-- plays in the background! Please RSVP to Dani Kogan, Youth Advisor for location information.

Festival of Lights: The Y's Chanukah Family Fair
Sunday, December 17, 3:00-5:00 PM
YM/YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood, 54 Nagle Ave.
Join FTJC and many other local Jewish organizations for a family-friendly fun-filled afternoon. Whether you celebrate Hanukkah every year or you’re interested in learning more about the holiday, families from all backgrounds are warmly invited. 3:00 PM: Activities including candle making, menorah crafts, and yummy holiday treats -- look for FTJC's table to decorate spinning tops! 4:15 PM: Community candle-lighting and sing-along, followed by latkes! Tickets are recommended in advance, $5/household, on the Y's website.
 

Prayer Services

Shabbat Chanukah
Friday, December 15, 4:20 PM
Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma'ariv
Penthouse Minyan: HT, 2nd Floor (one flight of stairs)
Heimish Minyan, 220 Wadsworth Ave., Apt. 407 (wheelchair accessible)
Our usual Friday evening welcoming of Shabbat in community.

Saturday, December 16, 8:00-10:00 AM
HT Main Sanctuary
Please enter on 185th Street between Pinehurst Ave and Fort Washington Ave.
Bright and early! Due to an event at our rental hosts, the Hebrew Tabernacle, we'll be praying with special alacrity, from 8:00-10:00 AM, in the HT Main Sanctuary. (Accessibility information: one flight of stairs, electric chair lift available.)  Sadly we are unable to offer our usual range of morning children's programming, although Classroom 1 will be available as a  supervised playspace.  Join us for Parashat Miketz, plus Full Hallel and special Torah reading and Haftarah for Chanukah.

Saturday, December 16, 4:05 PM
Shabbat Minchah/Se'udah Shelishit/Ma'ariv
Hebrew Tabernacle Penthouse, 2nd floor
Our usual Saturday evening prayers, learning, eating, and shmoozing.

Fifth Morning of Chanukah
Sunday, December 17, 8:45 AM
Location TBD: Please e-mail ritual@ftjc.org for location
Our usual Sunday morning minyan, home-hosted and enhanced with Full Hallel and a special Torah reading for Chanukah.


And After Chanukah...
 

Chinese Food and a Movie
Sunday, Dec. 24, 7:00 PM
90 Pinehurst Ave., Apt. 2B
Join the FTJC community for a time-honored Jewish tradition - Chinese food and a movie! $10 per person - meat and vegetarian options available. The movie of choice is "Hidden Figures," Oscar-nominated in 2016. Space is limited - please register. BYOB!

Christmas Day Mitzvah Project
Monday, Dec. 25, 10:00-11:00 AM
Meet at corner of 184th St and Fort Washington Ave
In town on Christmas morning? Join the FTJC Programming Committee in bringing baked goods and big thanks to those who keep the city running 365 days a year. We'll gather at 184th St and Fort Washington Ave (in front of the subway entrance) at 10:00 am on Monday 12/25. We'll walk around the neighborhood for approximately an hour, stopping at subway stations, bus stops, the police station, the firehouse, and maybe more! Please bring a treat to distribute, homemade or store-bought. All are welcome. RSVPs to Evan Bialostozky (evanb1313@gmail.com) or just join us that morning!

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