chanukah
Thank you to all for celebrating the first night of Chanukah with our Temple Beth Shalom community and guests on Dec. 14, 2025. It was a joyful celebration filled with light, laughter, and connection for all ages.
We enjoyed a build-your-own-latke bar (with plenty of delicious toppings!), craft areas hosted by our local Jewish organizations — including Greene Family Camp and Shalom Austin/Maccabiah — a cozy PJ Library tot zone, and the ever-popular Brotherhood Bar for adults.
We ended the evening together with songs from our Kids’ Choir and a community candle lighting to mark the first night of Chanukah.
Thank You to Our Community Partners
Temple Brotherhood & Sisterhood
Thank You to Our Volunteers
This evening would not have been possible without the many volunteers who helped us greet, set up, keep things running smoothly, and clean up at the end of the night. We are so grateful to:
Harriet and Glen Lebetkin
Michelle and Steve Feibus
Nadav Hershko and Shai Amar
Jennifer Jacobson
Carly and Andrew Johnson
Danny and Nora Kuperszotch
Sari and Mel Waxler
Erica Richie and Miles Richie
Susan Glickson House
Beth Goldstein
Jenny Lewin
Amy and Adi Cohen
Wendy Botnick
Amy Fintel
Nicole Elmer
Kim Kass
Henry Sumber
Madelyn Lachs
Ruby Kaye
Cameron, Emma, and Maya Howitt
David Levy
And all others in our community who helped out!
Your time, energy, and generosity are a true gift to this community.
Need a candlelighting refresher? Rabbi Steinman has it! Watch now on YouTube.
Chanukah Music Online
Listen to the Chanukah blessings as well as Maoz Tzur (Rock of Ages) and find words and instructions.
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.