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December 15, 2000/Kislev 18, 5761, Vol. 53, No.12
Community marks festival of lightsFrom menorah lightings and dreidels to latkes (potato pancakes) and chocolate coins, Hanukkah celebrations abound throughout the Valley later this month.Hanukkah celebrates the victory of Judah the Maccabee and his four brothers over the Syrian-Greeks in 165 B.C.E. in Palestine. Under King Antiochus IV, the Syrian-Greeks forbade Jews from observing their religious practices and sought to impose the paganism of the Hellenistic world upon Jews. After the Syrian armies converted the Temple into a pagan shrine, the Maccabees defeated the Syrians and recaptured the Temple. According to tradition, only one small, undefiled jug of oil was found when the Temple was recaptured and although it contained only enough oil to burn in the menorah for one day, it burned for eight days. Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days, beginning on the 25th day of Kislev, which this year falls on Thursday, Dec. 21. Benley Manor 5330 W. Union Hills Drive Glendale 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26 A community Hanukkah celebration includes entertainment, dancing, crafts, music, videos, and sing-a-longs. The dining room will be turned into a Middle Eastern food court. There is no admission charge for the event, but there will be a small charge for craft materials, latkes and sofganiot (Hanukkah doughnuts). Call 623-879-0959. Chabad of Scottsdale Zany Brainy at Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. and Scottsdale Road Scottsdale 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 "The Miracle of Oil - From Olives to Oil," is a hands-on Hanukkah workshop demonstrating how olive oil is made. Chocolate Hanukkah gelt will be distributed. Ten percent of all store sales made between 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. will be donated to Chabad for outreach and educational purchases. Hanukkah on Ice Ice Den, Home of the Phoenix Coyotes 9375 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24 Events include ice-skating, dreidels and menorah lighting. Kosher food available. Cost is $9 adults, $7 children. Call 480-922-0250. Chabad of the West Valley Benley Manor 5330 W. Union Hills Drive Glendale 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 24 A "Hanukkah Wonderland" program offers a chance to build a menorah, craft a dreidel, fry and decorate doughnuts and eat potato latkes. A demonstration about the hand process of extracting oil from olives and the method of preparing the oil for the menorah will take place at 11 a.m. Call 602-504-2178. Greater Phoenix Community Kollel Beth Joseph Congregation 515 E. Bethany Road Phoenix 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 The evening will include Hanukkah food and games and an opportunity to learn about the holiday. Cost is $5. Call 602-277-8858. Tri-City Jewish Community Center 1965 E. Hermosa Drive, Tempe 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19 The community is invited to a traditional latke supper served until 6:30 p.m. Activities include games, arts and crafts, face painting, holiday songs, a symbolic menorah lighting and entertainment by Pizazz Entertainment. Cost is $2.50 per person, $6 per family or $5 per family with a donation of two non-perishable food items. Call 602-897-0588. Phoenix Chabad Center 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21 Menorah lighting at the Wesley Bolin Plaza at the State Capitol. 5:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22 Family Shabbat dinner 2110 E. Lincoln Drive Phoenix 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23 Hanukkah party and children's carnival. Comedian Reuven Morris will entertain. Food will be sold. Held at Chabad Center. 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 25 Hanukkah party for Russian-speaking community. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27 Sephardic-style Hanukkah party for singles at a private home in Phoenix. Cost: $8. Call 602-944-2753. Sylvia Plotkin Judaica Museum Temple Beth Israel 10460 N. 56th St. Scottsdale 1-4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 25 Interactive, hands-on, family oriented activities, with art projects, big-screen videos, music and light refreshments. Cost is $5, including museum admission. Call 480-951-0323. Temple Chai 4645 E. Marilyn Road Phoenix 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22 The community is invited to the lighting of a giant menorah and to hear Hanukkah songs sung by the temple youth choir. A Shabbat nosh follows the candle lighting and, at 6:15 p.m., a Hanukkah Kabbalat Shabbat service with the adult choir. Call 602-971-1234. Temple Chai senior group: Dor L'Dor 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21 Hanukkah afternoon with latkes, refreshments, prizes and games such as Bridge, Bingo, Mexican Train and Mah Jong. Ages 55 and over. Cost is $5 members, $10 nonmembers. Reservations required by Dec. 18. Call Jean, 602-992-3932. |
