Celebrate the Season with the Mandell JCC and Free Chanukah Fun for the Family; The Festivities Begin Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights, is early this year and the Mandell JCC is ready to celebrate, with free fun for the family, including readings, candle lightings, tastings, and hands-on activities to celebrate Chanukah at various locations throughout Greater Hartford and at the Mandell JCC, Zachs Campus, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT.

Chanukah 2013 begins at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27 with daily (with the exception of Thursday, November 28) candle lighting ceremonies through Wednesday, December 4. Stop by the Simsbury Public Library, 725 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 30, for Simsbury Celebrates Chanukah, an evening of playing with dreidels, decorating cards for residents in local assisted living facilities, and candle lighting. Enjoy family time and hands-on fun at Chanukah at the Children’s Museum on Sunday, December 1 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Children’s Museum of Connecticut, 950 Trout Brook Drive, West Hartford. Donations of one unwrapped children’s toy per child attending will be accepted in lieu of an entry fee and registration for this event is required by Tuesday, November 26.  A planetarium show, Chanukah crafts and snacks are all included and families will have full use of the museum and all exhibits.

The fun continues on Monday, December 2, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the Mandell JCC for the annual Latke Throwdown, where you can sample various traditional and new potato pancake recipes. On Tuesday, December 3, PJ Library Chanukah stories will be read at Barnes & Noble in Canton at 11:00 a.m. and then visit the Mandell JCC from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for Edible Dreidels and Chanukah Crafts. Chanukah PJ Library Storytime continues at Barnes & Noble in Blue Back Square in West Hartford at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 4, and from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Mandell JCC. On Thursday, December 5 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., get ready for family fun at Big Tent Chanukah in Blue Back Square at the Annual Holiday Stroll, including songs, Chanukah stories, and more. Wrap up the festivities by learning about holiday traditions from around the world at Second Saturdays for Families on Sunday, December 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Wadsworth Atheneum, 600 Main Street, Hartford.

For more information on the Mandell JCC’s free Chanukah events, contact the Member Services Center, 860-236-4571, or visit www.mandelljcc.org. For news and updates, follow the Mandell JCC on Facebook and Twitter.

The Mandell Jewish Community Center is open to everyone and supported by funds raised by the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, a recipient of funding from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford, and a member of the JCC Association of North America. All dates and programs subject to change.