Chanukah
Page updated 12/17/2020
This year, Chanukah occurs from Thursday, Dec. 10-Thursday, Dec. 17. Temple Beth Shalom has got your celebrations covered! We'll offer online fun and learning almost every night. (Be sure to check out our Chanukah music section and Chanukah recipe compilation below!)
Today's Event:.
It's the Final Night of Chanukah!
Wear your ugliest (or most festive) Chanukah gear and grab your favorite Chanukah treat for our final night of Chanukah. There will be candlelighting, story sharing and a time to spend with friends. Members, log in to your account for the Zoom link to Nightly Candlelighting.
Prefer to see the schedule in plain text? Click here.
Nightly Candle Lighting at Temple Beth Shalom
Members, log in to your account for the Zoom link to Nightly Candle Lighting events.
Need a candlelighting refresher? Rabbi Steinman has it! Watch now on YouTube.
Community Opportunities
Community Virtual Candle Lighting
Register for the Zoom link or view live on Facebook.
Join Shalom Austin and Austin Jewish congregations and institutions on every night of Chanukah to light candles together, learn about the various organizations and populations that make up the Austin Jewish landscape, and see a different segment of the community showcased each night. Have your own menorah handy to light along with the group!
Chanukah Recipes
Our Recipes & Reminiscing class met online on Dec. 6 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.