The temperatures have dropped to the 70s, the lights are up on the River Walk, there are boat loads of holiday celebrations popping up around town… you know what that means, right?
IT’S ALMOST TIME FOR HANUKKAH, THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS, Y’ALL!
There are lots of fun happenings in the coming weeks, and you can check them out below!
This list was compiled from the following local sources: The Jewish Federation of San Antonio, PJ Library San Antonio, Chabad Center for Jewish Life & Learning, Congregation Agudas Achim, Congregation Rodfei Sholom, Barshop Jewish Community Center, and Temple Beth-El. These organizations and congregations each have helpful online programmatic resources to keep you up-to-date with Jewish cultural events and offerings for adults, children, and families in our community, so be sure to bookmark and follow them on Facebook and other social media.
As always, please call to confirm event details with sponsors! Some events require RSVPs or membership, while others are free and open to the general public as indicated on the flyers. And, if you know of additional Hanukkah events not listed here, please leave a comment below.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19
Hands on Chanukah | Barshop JCC
“Celebrate Chanukah at the JCC with fun for the whole family – with fun activities such as candle dipping and Chanukah treats offered between performances! This family-friendly event is free and open to the community.” 4-6 PM. Click here to register.
Catholics and Jews Celebrate Hanukkah
Join the Jewish Community Relations and San Fernando Cathedral, in partnership with Jefferson Bank and the University of the Incarnate Word, for this year’s Catholics and Jews Celebrate Hanukkah. Tickets are available here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/fa456622-ad79-4b78-a946-c1cfe31728c1
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25
First Candle of Hanukkah
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26
Second Candle of Hanukkah
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27
Third Candle of Hanukkah
Channukkah Shabbatukkah | Temple Beth El
Congregational dinner and song following Shabbat services. beth-elsa.shulcloud.com/event/chanukkah24
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28
Fourth Candle of Hanukkah
Menorah Lighting at the Alamo
8-10 pm with jelly donuts, a 9 ft menorah, and more!
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29
Fifth Candle of Hanukkah
Chanukah at Pearl
6-9 PM Enjoy live music performances under the menorah. https://events.atpearl.com/event/chanukah-at-pearl/
MONDAY, DECEMBER 30
Sixth Candle of Hanukkah
Chanukah on the River
4-7 PM!
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31
Seventh Candle of Hanukkah
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1
Eighth Candle of Hanukkah and Happy New Year!
LOOKING FOR MORE HANUKKAH FUN AND ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH YOUR CHILDREN?
PJ Library has great suggestions. If you are not already familiar with it, PJ Library has a “Jewish Family Engagement Program” that provides useful educational resources for families “to explore the timeless core values of Judaism through books and music.” It is free to participate, and children typically receive one book or CD each month. (And if you think kids don’t LOVE getting their own mail each month, you are nuts.) In San Antonio, through partnerships with multiple Jewish organizations and agencies, all families raising Jewish children ages six months to seven years are eligible to participate. I signed up both of my children when they were born, and they each get age-appropriate literature and music. For a list of Hanukkah books selected by age group, click here.
Portions of this post were originally published by Ashley on December 14, 2014.
