Chanukah
A Great Miracle is Happening at Temple Beth Shalom
Join Temple Beth Shalom for a week of Chanukah events, culminating with our big Chanukah Homecoming weekend.
(Be sure to also check out our Chanukah music section and Chanukah recipe compilation below!)
Celebrate Chanukah with the Reform Movement!
This 30-minute video that you can watch with family and friends offers music and memories for the holiday. You can watch anytime, or tune in to see it air live on the URJ's Facebook feed on Sunday, Nov. 28 at 7:00 p.m. Look for our own congregant, Angie Harrison, around 4:46 in the video, sharing one of her own favorite memories! Download song lyrics here.
Act 2 Chanukah Party
Sunday, Nov. 28, 5:30 p.m.
Act 2 members congregants (age 55+) are invited to celebrate the first night of Chanukah together with the Mazel Tov Kocktail Hour Klezmer band at Central Market, 4001 N. Lamar. Just show up--No need to RSVP!
Chanukah Pajamukkah Lullabies
Monday, Nov. 29, 7:00 p.m.
Members only; link provided on the Zoom Links for Members webpage.
Young families are invited to Zoom in with Cantor Gostein for candle lighting, Chanukah lullabies, and the Bedtime Sh’ma.
Livestreamed Candle Lighting with our Hebrew School
Wednesday, Dec. 1, 5:30 p.m.
We invite all to livestream our Hebrew School t’filah for the Chanukiyah lighting.
Chanukah (Hanukkah) Homecoming Weekend at Temple Beth Shalom
Join a worldwide “open house” of Jewish communities to celebrate Chanukah onsite and online together during Chanukah (or Hanukkah) Homecoming Weekend, December 3-5. The weekend is inspired by the yearning for gathering together with our families, friends, and communities. Our purpose is to “come back together” in reunion, song, ritual, and relationship. We will have both in-person, online and hybrid events throughout the weekend.
First Friday Shabbat Service & Chanukiyah Lighting
Friday, Dec. 3, 7:00 p.m.
Start off our Chanukah (Hanukkah) Homecoming at our online First Friday Shabbat Service. Zoom link can be found in our member portal.
Chanukah Homecoming Congregational Celebration
Saturday, Dec. 4, 4:00 p.m.
Members, please join us for our BIG in-person Chanukah (Hanukkah) Homecoming celebration. Come see old friends and new, spin the dreidel, eat some delicious sufganiyot and find what surprises we have in store. We will end our evening with Havdalah, the lighting of the Chanukiyah, and songs. Chanukah-themed clothing encouraged! Space is limited to members only and you must register here to attend. Masks are required for everyone over age 2, except when eating and drinking.
If you are interested in volunteering during our event, please contact Michelle Feibus.
Consecration Service
Sunday, Dec. 5, 10:30 a.m.
Our Chanukah (Hanukkah) Homecoming weekend ends with our Consecration service, where we welcome our youngest students into their Jewish education journey. Just as the Maccabees reconsecrated the Temple during this time, we will celebrate these new learners with joy and love. The in-person consecration service is open to those being consecrated and their immediate family members only; however, we invite and encourage all our members to join us through our livestream.
It's a mitzvah! Let's help out a family in need of support this holiday. Drop off donated items between Wednesday, Dec. 1, and Sunday, Dec. 5. Sign up for a donation and learn more here.
Need a candlelighting refresher? Rabbi Steinman has it! Watch now on YouTube.
Chanukah Recipes
Our Recipes & Reminiscing class met online on Dec. 6, 2020, to make sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) together. Class participants also contributed their favorite recipes for the Festival of Lights. Browse all the recipes here.
Chanukah Music Online
Listen to Cantor Abby Gostein sing the Chanukah blessings as well as Maoz Tzur (Rock of Ages) and find words and instructions.
You might also enjoy these musical Chanukah videos:
View a musical "postcard" for Chanukah from the
SoCo Women's Chorus of Austin (there's an opportunity to donate in the video description):
Robert Applebaum's Funky Dreidl
Not Your Bubbe's Chanukah Play List
- Light One Candle by Peter Yarrow (Peter Paul and Mary)
- How Do You Spell Channukkahh by the Leevees
- A Collection of Musical Chanukah Videos
By The Maccabeats, Yeshiva University's a cappella group:
About Chanukah
Chanukah (alternately spelled Hanukkah), meaning "dedication" in Hebrew, refers to the joyous eight-day celebration during which Jews commemorate the victory of the Maccabees over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the subsequent liberation and "rededication" of the Temple in Jerusalem. The modern home celebration of Chanukah centers around the lighting of the chanukiyah, a special menorah for Chanukah; foods prepared in oil including latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts); and special songs and games.