Hanukkah in New York City

 

New York is fabulous this time of year.  You have the tree at Rockefeller Center, the department store windows and so much more.  But, NYC has just as much to offer its Jewish residents who celebrate Hanukkah.  Whether it be a massive candle lighting with hundreds of other New Yorkers or Family Day at the Jewish Museum with art and music, you and your child will have many opportunities to celebrate and learn about the holiday.  Here are some of the offerings this year:

 

Hanukkah Family Day at the Jewish Museum

Sunday, December 9th, 12-4pm

Museum admission is $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, $7.50 for students, free for children under 12 and Jewish Museum members.

The Jewish Museum will present Hanukkah Family Day, a fun-filled day of activities, on Sunday, December 9th from 12-4pm.  The day’s line-up includes drop-in art workshops,  dancing to the tunes of Yosi and the Superdads and exploring the Museum’s world-famous collection of Hanukkah lamps on view in the museum’s permanent exhibition, Culture and Continuity: The Jewish Journey.

1109 Fifth Avenue  at 92nd Street
(212) 423-3200

 

Family Hanukkah Party at Shaare Zedek

Tuesday, December 11th

 Join for an evening of Chanukah fun with Chanukah crafts, make our own sufganiyot, and light candles. Please RSVP to Talia at 212.874.7005 x 16 or education.sznyc@gmail.com.

212 West 93rd Street

 

Young Families Hanukkah Celebration and Puppet Show at Congregation B’Nai Jeshuin

Sunday, December 9 | 3:30-5:30PM 

Families with children 5 and under won’t want to miss this annual Hanukkah celebration complete with latkes, lighting and laughter, where the BJ Children’s Hanukkah Chorus will begin by leading in festive singing. Then families will enjoy an engaging puppet show with Len Levitt, renowned puppeteer and puppet builder.  They will conclude the evening lighting candles together. R.S.V.P. online.

Cost per family is $18/members and $25/non-members.

88th Street Sanctuary, (212) 787-7600

 

Family Hanukkah Happening at the Museum at Eldridge Street

Sunday, December 9th, 11am

$15 for the family

Wind, rain, and the passage of time nearly destroyed the Eldridge Street Synagogue. But just as the ancient Temple was rebuilt in the Hanukah story, the synagogue was also saved from destruction. Come explore this Lower East Side landmark as we tell the Hanukah story together. We’ll eat, sing, spin dreidels and find out how a 19th century synagogue has become a 21st century treasure.

12 Eldridge Street, New York, NY 10022
(212) 219-0888

 

World’s Largest Hanukkah Menorah Lighting at Grand Army Plaza

Saturday, December 8th – Saturday, December 15th: Friday at 3:30pm, Saturday at 8:30pm and 5:30pm on all other days

FREE

The miracle of Hanukkah takes on even greater significance for kids as they look upon the 32-foot, 4,000-pound, golden candelabra that grandly takes the spotlight near Central Park on the corner of 5th Avenue and 59th Street.  At the beginning of the holiday, a celebration will include live music, singing and folk dancing, “Chanukah Gelt” for the children and hot latkes for everyone.

Grand Army Plaza, Fifth Avenue at 59th Street

 

Grand Army Plaza Menorah Lighting

Saturday, December 8th – Saturday, December 15th; Friday at 3:30pm, Saturday at 7:30pm and 6pm on all other days

FREE

Christmas trees don’t get to have all the fun. After all, Hanukkah is the festival of lights. This massive 32-foot tall, two-ton menorah will be lit every night of the holiday.

Intersection of Vanderbilt and Flatbush Avenues

 

92^nd Street Y 

Dec 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 5:30 pm
Dec 14, 3:45 pm / Dec 9, 5:30 pm (Hebrew)

FREE

Annual Hanukkah lighting in the 92nd Street Y lobby.  Bring your dancing shoes and singing voices and end the celebration with Hanukkah chocolate gelt candies.

Lexington Avenue and 92^nd Street 

1395 Lexington Avenue
(212) 415-5500

 

Let’s Celebrate Hanukkah! at Brooklyn Children’s Museum

Saturday, Dec 17th, 2:30pm

FREE with museum admission, ages 6-12

Discover the food and fun behind this celebration’s eight nights and create a special Hanukkah craft to take home. Ages 1 to 5.

145 Brooklyn Avenue 

(718) 735-4400

 

Judy and the Maccabees: A Hanukkah Musical at Merkin Concert Hall

Sunday, December 9th

In this musical re-imagining of the ancient story of Hanukkah, Judy is a young girl who joins the Maccabees in their fight against King Antiochus. She proves herself when her plan helps the Maccabees win the war and return to Jerusalem. The play ends with the miracle of the Temple Menorah. All ages.

$20 single tickets

129 West 67th Street 

(212) 501-3300

 

Hanukkah on Ice in New York City at Trump Wollman Rink

Monday, December 10th, 6-9pm

brought to you by the Chabad Centers of:
The West Side | The Upper East Side | Midtown | Israel Center | West 60s | Harlem | Washington Hts. | Columbia University

Families can celebrate the Festival of Lights by taking a spin around the ice rink in Central Park and watching as a giant ice menorah is lit for the first night of Hanukkah. A light dinner, donuts and hot beverages are included in the evening’s festivities. All ages.

ONLINE: $22/adult; $18/child
AT THE DOOR: $25/adult, $20 child

830 5th Avenue, 
(212) 439-6900

 

Chanukah Celebration at West End Synagogue

Sunday, December 9 at 2pm

Suggested donation of $5 per person, $18 per family
More info here.

190 Amsterdam Avenue at 69th Street

 

Lightings at JCC Manhattan

Saturday, December 8th – Saturday, December 15th at 5:15pm

FREE

For each of the eight nights of Chanukah, the JCC invites you to the JCC Community Lobby for the lighting of the menorah at a pop-up party which lasts 30 minutes.

Check out the details below:

Saturday 12/8 – Experience the Guy Menedlow Ensemble for a taste of Ladino music and snack on North African and Sephardic treats.

Sunday 12/9 – Listen to songs from the JJP Chorus with traditional Chanukah treats.

Monday 12/10 – Join a group sing along of traditional Hanukkah songs followed by a tasting from the JCC’s in-house caterer, Simply Divine.

Tuesday, 12/11 – Get your groove on at our drum circle, and enjoy a tasting of 8 healthy oils.

Wednesday, 12/12 – Families are welcome to sing traditional songs for the holiday, and walk away with lots of chocolate coins!

Thursday, 12/13 – Enjoy tunes from a Klezmer duo while enjoying a latke tasting from Chef Jennifer Abadi.

Friday, 12/14 (Starts at 2:45pm) – Get to know the staff of the JCC with a wine tasting and small bites.

Saturday, 12/15 – End the holiday on a sweet note with story telling from Shawn Shafner, and traditional jelly donuts!

JCC, 334 Amsterdam Avenue  at 76th Street
(646) 505-4444

 

Hanukkah Concert at Town & Village Synagogue 

Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 7:30PM

Celebrate Hanukkah music at the annual Cantor Louis Moss Memorial Concert, featuring Cantor Shayna Postman, the Town & Village Synagogue Choir, and other special musical guests. The concert will include a candle lighting and singalong.

$30 at the door, $25 before December 13 ($10 for college/graduate students, free for students under 18)

334 East 14th Street, 212-677-8090

 

The Sephardic Music Festival at the Knitting Factory

December 8th-12th, 2012

The Sephardic Music Festival is back in town from December 8-12, 2012. Artists including Yair Dalal, Electro Morocco, Michal Cohen, Diwon, Pharaoh’s Daughter, and many others will be performing in venues ranging from Joe’s Pub to the Spanish Portuguese Synagogue.

A detailed listing can be found here.