Chanukah, which this year starts at sundown on Dec. 14 and goes through Dec. 22, commemorates a Jewish revolt against the King Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who forced Jews to worship pagan deities or be killed, and he turned the Jewish temple into a pagan shrine.
After the Jews successfully re-took Jerusalem, they wanted to purify the temple by lighting the temple menorah—but they only had one day’s supply of oil to light the lamps. Yet this oil lasted for eight days.
“Because of this, the sages of that generation ruled that the eight days beginning with the twenty-fifth of Kislev should be observed as days of rejoicing and praising the Lord,” wrote the medieval rabbi Maimonides in the Mishneh Torah. Jews should light a menorah in honor of the miracle. Additionally, said Maimonides: “it is forbidden to lament or to fast.”
The Newton Beacon is here to help you celebrate with a list of fun Chanukah events in Newton.
Friday, Dec. 12
- 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.: Join Beth Menachem Chabad for a special Chanukah version of their ‘Tot Shabbat,’ with latkes, challah, and Hanukkah music and movement. For children ages up to age 4 and their caregivers. Free, but registration requested. Located at 349 Dedham St.
Saturday, Dec 13
- 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Jewish 50+ singles event at Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward St. Registration required; $25 fee includes food and drinks.
Sunday, Dec 14
- 10 a.m. to noon: The Jewish Community Center at 333 Nahanton Street is having a Chanukah celebration with a dreidel tournament, sufganiyot, and entertainment. Advance registration required; $18 per family, free for JCC members.
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Celebrate Temple Shalom’s 75th anniversary and sanctuary re-dedication, followed by a Chanukah party with music, games, and sufganiyot.
- Noon to 1:30 p.m.: Temple Emanuel at 385 Ward Street is having a Hanukkah party for teenagers with games and trivia. Registration is $10, which includes pizza.
- 3:30 p.m.: Enjoy a menorah lighting, gelt drop, Israeli music, dreidel, and food at Beth Menachem Chabad, 349 Dedham Street. Tickets are $15.
- 4 p.m.: Enjoy a menorah lighting and gelt drop by the Newton Fire Department on the Newton Centre Green.
- 4:30 p.m.: Join Congregation Dorshei Tzedek for a menorah lighting celebration and dancing, arts and crafts, cooking demonstrations, and text study. Potluck dinner. Located at 1326 Washington St.
Tuesday, Dec 16
- 7 to 10 p.m.: Join fellow Jewish adults in celebrating at Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward St., with craft beer, Chinese food, and musical sing-a-longs. $36 per person.
Thursday, Dec. 18
- 5:15 to 7:30 p.m.: Families with small children are welcome at the 5:15 p.m. children’s Hanukkah celebration at Temple Emanuel, with cookies and dreidel playing, and then all ages are welcome at 5:45 p.m. for music and dinner.
Friday, Dec 19
- 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.: Join Beth Menachem Chabad for a special Chanukah version of their ‘Tot Shabbat,’ with latkes, challah, and Hanukkah music and movement. For children ages 0 to 4 and their caregivers. Free, but registration requested. Located at 349 Dedham St.
- 5:30 p.m.: Eat a Chanukah Shabbat dinner at Chabad of Newton Centre, 32 Loring Street. $55 for adults, $36 for children.
Wednesday, Dec 24
- 7:30 to 9 p.m.: Listen to choral and klezmer music at Temple Emanuel as part of their annual ‘Hanukkah Happens’ series. Tickets are $30; $25 for students and seniors. Located at 385 Ward St.