Valley Hanukkah celebrations

Hanukkah luncheon features author: Phoenix Chapter of Brandeis University National Women's Committee will hold their annual Hanukkah luncheon 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, at Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix. The event will feature a presentation by Marcia Fine, author of Gossip.com, a book profiling marriage, mothering and in-laws. Cost is $15 for members and $18 for nonmembers. To attend, call 480-991-9792.

Songfest part of Academy celebration: Phoenix Hebrew Academy will celebrate Hanukkah with a holiday celebration 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, at the school, 515 E. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix. Events will include the debut of an original Hebrew play by Rabbi Yehuda Elimelech, followed by a songfest under the direction of Rabbi Yaakov Stolberg. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade will participate. Call 602-277-7479.

Beth El and Har Zion celebrate Hanukkah: Beth El Youth Department will feature a Kadimah Hanukkah party with Har Zion Kadimah 12:15-2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at Beth El Congregation, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix. The party will include food, gift exchanges and the music of Cantor Marc Philippe. Participants are asked to bring a gift of $10 value or less. Cost is $5. Call 602-944-6534.

SR USY throws party: SR USY of the Beth El Youth Department will hold a Hanukkah party 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, in the youth lounge of the congregation, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix. The event will feature a gift exchange, music and candle lighting. Participants must bring a gift of $10 value or less. Call 602-944-6534.

Hanukkah in Scottsdale: Chabad of Scottsdale, located at 10215 N. Scottsdale Road, will celebrate Hanukkah with five community events. Events include:

Hanukkah Wonderland, 10:30 a.m.-noon Sunday, Dec. 9, at the synagogue. Activities include Judaica crafts and an olive oil demonstration. Cost is $5.
Menorah lighting ceremony, 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at the Scottsdale Civic Center, located on Civic Center Drive south of Indian School Road. Hanukkah treats, live music and children's entertainment will be provided, including "Hershy Potter's Magic Show." Free event.
Hanukkah Extravaganza, 4:45-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at Fiddlesticks Family Fun Park, 8800 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale. Kosher food will be available.
Friday Night Live, beginning with services 5:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at the synagogue. Comedian Steve Mittleman will entertain. A Shabbat dinner will be provided.

Cost is $30 adults, $17 children under 12. To attend, call 480-998-1410.
Hanukkah on Ice, 5:45-8:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, at Alltel Ice Den, 9375 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. Event includes lighting a giant menorah, a free raffle and kosher food. Call 480-922-0250.

Cost is $10 adults, $8 for children.

Call 480-998-1410.

Chabad celebrates Hanukkah: Chabad of Arizona, located at 2110 E. Lincoln Drive, Phoenix, will hold various Hanukkah programs for community members. Events include:

Hanukkah program for high school students, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, at Chabad of Phoenix.
Singles Hanukkah program, 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, at a private location.
Hanukkah dinner, 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at Chabad of Phoenix. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children or $25 per family.
Carnival and Comedy, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at Chabad of Phoenix. Comedian Steve Mittleman will entertain adults following the carnival. Cost is $10. Call 602-944-2753.

Celebrate the 'Miracle of Hanukkah' at Zany Brainy: Living Legacy of Chabad of the West Valley will hold "The Olive Press Factory" in honor of the first night of Hanukkah 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at Zany Brainy, 7401 W. Bell Road, Peoria. The free, hands-on event will allow participants to discover the process of making olive oil and celebrate Hanukkah. The Hanukkah menorah will be lit from the freshly pressed oil. Call 602-375-2422.

Turning olives to oil: Chabad of the East Valley will hold "The Miracle of Oil - From Olives to Oil," a free Hanukkah workshop, 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, at La Petite Academy, 6185 W. Detroit St., Chandler. Children can experience a hands-on program of turning olives into oil in celebration of Hanukkah. Each child will receive a free dreidel. Chabad will also hold oil press workshops 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, at the Tri-City Jewish Community Center, 1965 E. Hermosa Drive, Tempe; and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Har Zion Congregation, 6140 E. Thunderbird Road, Scottsdale. To attend, call 480-753-5366.

NA'AMAT Hanukkah luncheon: NA'AMAT USA, Kinneret Club, will hold a Hanukkah Candle Lighting luncheon 12:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17, at a private home in Paradise Valley. Latkes will be served. Gertrude Sunshine will be honored for her years of dedicated service to the organization. Cost is $3. Guests are welcome. Call 602-246-8399.

Chachma latke luncheon: Latkes will be served at a Hanukkah luncheon hosted by Temple Solel's senior group Chachma, at noon Thursday, Dec. 13, at the temple, 6805 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley. The program "Chanukah Celebration of Music" features Rabbi Alan Berlin, Cantor Julie Berlin and students of the Pardes Jewish Day School. Cost is $8.50 for Chachma members; $10.50 nonmembers. Call 480-991-7414.

Brisket, latke dinner: After a 6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat service, Temple Solel lights the sixth Hanukkah candle at a Hanukkah brisket and latke dinner, at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at the temple, 6805 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley. Cost is $14.50 adult members; $16.50 adult nonmembers. Cost is $7 children ages 5-12 and $4 children ages 2-4. To attend, call 480-991-7414 by Dec. 10.

Family dinner party: A family Hanukkah dinner and party sponsored by Temple Gan Elohim will take place Friday, Dec. 14, at Dove of the Desert United Methodist Church, 7201 W. Beardlsey Road, Glendale. A traditional Shabbat dinner with chicken and latkes will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. family service and an oneg with Israeli dancing, games, crafts and prizes. Member cost is $10 adults, $5 children 6-12 and $3 children 3-5. Nonmember cost is $12 adults, $6 children 6-12 and $4 children 3-5. To attend, call 623-270-7435 by Dec. 11.

Hanukkah event for hearing impaired: A Hanukkah get-together for the Jewish deaf and hearing impaired, sponsored by Our Way of Arizona, will take place at 5:45 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, at a private home. Rabbi Zvi and Sima Holland of the Phoenix Community Kollel will fry latkes and light candles. The Council for Jews with Special Needs sponsors the cost of the interpreter. Call Holland, 602-466-0300 or Shirley Grossman, 602-938-2413.

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