Now that it’s December, Hanukkah is just around the corner, and we’ve got over 45 ways for you to get in the holiday mood–before Hanukkah even begins! You can build LEGO menorahs and dreidels, take in a holiday concert (or two), and use every opportunity possible to eat latkes, donuts, and chocolate gelt. Because, fried food and chocolate. Mmmmm. Happy Hanukkah!
Brooklyn
Monday, Dec. 4 – Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016
Kane Street Sundays Open Play & Storytime 
Open play, PJ Library stories, music, activities, bagels, and snacks for families with children ages 6 and under. Open to all, drop-in, pay at the door or buy a multi-session pass.
Kane St Synagogue Community Room, 236 Kane St
Sundays, Dec. 11, 18 & 25, 9 a.m. – Noon
Free Family Art Day: “Frost and Light
Spellbound Theatre’s storytellers will lead participants through crafts, songs, stories, and creative play centered around the theme of frost and light.
Willow Nest Studio, 592 16th St
Sunday, Dec. 11, 10:30 a.m. – Noon
Monday, Dec. 12 – Sunday, 18, 2016
It’s Time For Shabbat
Learn about Shabbat and holidays, enjoy a pizza lunch, and meet other families. For families with children ages 4 – 6 years.
Union Temple, 17 Eastern Pkwy 4th fl
Saturday, Dec. 17, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m
A Musical Hanukkah at the Marks JCH
Welcome Hanukkah through music and song, spin dreidels, and eat latkes and donuts.
Marks JCH,7802 Bay Parkway
Sunday, Dec. 18, Noon – 3 p.m.
PJ Library Hanukkah Puppet Show
A brand-new, interactive puppet show featuring Yellow Sneaker Puppets with Ora Fruchter. Best for ages 5 and under, RSVP requested.
Union Temple, 17 Eastern Pkwy 4th fl
Sunday, Dec. 18, 3 – 4 p.m.
Hanukkah Party & Concert
Celebrate Hanukkah with holiday-themed crafts, cookie decorating, story time, and a live performance from Shira & Friends.
Kane St Synagogue, 236 Kane St
Sunday, Dec. 18, 10:30 a.m. – Noon
“Be the Light” Hanukkah Party
Get in the Hanukkah mood with food, wine, crafts, games, music, stories, and a magic show. Sponsored Kings Bay Y and Fig Tree, program is free with RSVP.
Clinton Hill Co-Op School, 87 Irving Place
Sunday, Dec. 16, 3 – 6 p.m.
Community-Wide Hanukkah Party
Celebrate Hanukkah with arts & crafts, face painting, holiday treats, and a live musical performance!
Kings Bay Y at Windsor Terrace, 1224 Prospect Ave
Sunday, Dec. 18, 3 – 5 p.m.
Hanukkah Festival @ The Shorefront Y
Join in a live, participatory Hanukkah show with Drum Tales, make your own menorah and candles, eat holiday treats, and take pics in a photo booth. RSVP requested.
Shorefront YM-YWHA, 3300 Coney Island Ave
Sunday, Dec. 18, 3 p.m.
Pre-Hanukkah Community-Wide Celebration
Celebrate Hanukkah with music, crafts, face painting, and other holiday activities.
Kings Bay Y @ North Williamsburg, 14 Hope St
Sunday, Dec. 18, 11 a.m. – Noon
Long Island
Monday, Dec. 4 – Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016
PJ’s and Prayer
A cozy evening of songs, stories, hot cocoa, snacks, and Shabbat prayers. Best for ages 4 and under, RSVP requested.
Temple Chaverim, 1050 Washington Ave. Plainview
Friday, Dec. 9, 6 – 7 p.m.
PJ Library Bim Bam Family Havdalah
Say goodbye to Shabbat with a family-friendly havdalah service, PJ Library storytime, and dinner. RSVP requested.
Huntington Jewish Center, Huntington Jewish Center, Huntington
Saturday, Dec. 10, 5:15 – 6:30 p.m.
PJ Library Celebrates Hanukkah
Get ready for Hanukkah with stories, crafts, and songs. For children ages 8 and under, RSVP requested, (516) 764-6000. Sponsored by Central Synagogue Beth Emeth.
Turn of the Corkscrew Books & Wine, 110 N Park Ave, Rockville Centre
Sunday, Dec. 11, 2 – 3 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 12 – Sunday, 18, 2016
Temple Avodah Hanukkah Bash
Tot Shabbat with music, stories, and crafts, followed by Rock Shabbat and a Hanukkah dinner and a magician. RSVP required.
Temple Avodah, 3050 Oceanside Rd, Oceanside
Friday, Dec. 16, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday Story Time
Story telling, music, movement, and crafts for ages 4 and under. A great way to start a Sunday.
Merrick Jewish Centre, 225 Fox Blvd., Merrick
Sunday, Dec. 18, 10 – 11 a.m.
Hands-On Hanukkah @ Walt Whitman Mall!
Free Hanukkah fun for the whole family with cookie decorating, face painting, crafts, and a live magic show.
Walt Whitman Mall (in front of Bloomingdales), 160 Walt Whitman Rd, Huntington
Sunday, Dec. 18, 12 – 4 p.m.
Hands-On Hanukkah @ Smith Haven Mall
Free Hanukkah fun for the whole family with cookie decorating, face painting, crafts, and a live magic show.
Smith Haven Mall, 313 Burr Lane, Lake Grove
Sunday, Dec. 18. 1 – 4 p.m.
Children’s Hanukkah Party
Celebrate Hanukkah with pizza, drinks, Hanukkah crafts, cookie baking, chocolate making, and PJ Library story time. RSVP requested but not required.
Central Synagogue Beth Emeth, 430 Demott Ave, Rockville Centre
Sunday, Dec. 18, Noon – 2 p.m.
Manhattan
Monday, Dec. 4 – Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016
Hanna and the Moonlit Dress
A brand-new, interactive, theatrical adaptation of the PJ Library book “Hannah’s Sabbath Dress.” Best for ages 2 – 8, buy tickets here, or at the door.
14th St Y, 344 East 14th S
Friday, Dec. 9, 4 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, Dec. 10 & 11, 10 a.m., Noon & 4 p.m.
GrownUps Cracking Up! A Shabbat Experience
Performances by noted comedians and drinks for the grown-ups, plus PJ Library storytime and activities for kids ages 4 and under. Family pizza kiddush to follow.
14th St Y, 344 East 14th St
Fridays, Dec. 9 & Jan. 20, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
Hanukkah Tot Shabbat
Get in a holiday mood with a Hanukkah-themed Tot Shabbat with music, dancing, challah, and grape juice followed by an informal Shabbat dinner. Best for ages 5 and under.
Sutton Place Synagogue. 225 East 51st St
Friday, Dec. 9, 5:30 – 6:15 p.m.
PJ Challah for Hunger Community Baking Experience
Learn about making and braiding challah and braid two challahs—one to take home, and one to give away, followed by story time, a snack, and Shabbat-related activities. Challah for Hunger seeks to raise awareness of hunger and food insecurity in the US. For families with children ages 7 and under, RSVP requested.
Congregation Rodeph Sholom, 7 West 83rd St (btw Columbus Ave & CPW)
Saturday, Dec. 10, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Hanukkah StoryTime at Barnes & Noble
Get ready for Hanukkah with a PJ Library story time, songs, and crafts. RSVP requested, sponsored by Congregation Kehillath Jeshurun.
Barnes & Noble, 150 E 86th St
Sunday, Dec. 11, 11 a.m. – Noon
PJ Library Story Time
Hear an interactive, Russian-language reading of “The Secret Society,” create your own book illustrations, learn how to decode secret messages and more. For children ages 5 – 10 years, register in advance or at the door.
JCC of Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave, 7th fl
Sunday, Dec. 11, 4 – 6 p.m.
Hanukkah Community Celebration
Celebrate Hanukkah on the Lower East Side with light and shadow exploration, family art projects, a holiday sing-a-long, and holiday treats. RSVP requested.
Manny Cantor Center, 197 East Broadway, 6th fl
Sunday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. – Noon
Dreidels & Donuts: A Hanukkah Concert
Sing and dance with The Bossy Frog Band followed by art activities, holiday treats, and a book fair.
Best for children ages 5 and under, RSVP requested.
Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, 30 West 68 St
Sunday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Build the World’s Largest Menorah
Help build a 10-foot tall menorah out of LEGOs. RSVP requested, limited space available.
Temple Israel NYC, 112 E. 75th St
Sunday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. – Noon
JCP’s Very Bluegrass Hanukkah Concert
Get in the holiday spirit with a family concert featuring Nefesh Mountain with Mama Doni. Click here to buy tickets in advance.
JCP @ Tribeca Synagogue, 40 White St
Sunday, Dec. 11, 3 – 4:30 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 12 – Sunday, 18, 2016
Hanna and the Moonlit Dress
A brand-new, interactive, theatrical adaptation of the PJ Library book “Hannah’s Sabbath Dress.” Best for ages 2 – 8, buy tickets here, or at the door.
14th St Y, 344 East 14th St
Friday, Dec. 16, 4 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday,, Dec. 17 & 18, 10 a.m., Noon & 4 p.m.
PJ Library Story Time
A monthly storytime for little ones ages 4 and under, featuring a variety of classics, favorites, and PJ Library stories. RSVP requested.
JCC of Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave
Friday, Dec. 16, Noon – 12:30 p.m.
PJ Play! at Pause Play
Watch the PJ Library story “The Golem’s Latkes” brought to life by the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbeine, crafts and snacks included.
14th St Y, 344 East 14th St
Saturday, Dec. 17, 3 – 4 p.m.
Musical Havdalah & Hanukkah Lights
Say goodbye to Shabbat with a musical havdalah service, Hanukkah candle lighting, crafts, and an ice cream party. RSVP requested.
Kehilath Jeshurun,125 E 85th St
Saturday, Dec. 17, 6 – 7 p.m.
Family Hanukkah Celebration
Come in your favorite PJs for a musical havdalah ceremony followed by Hanukkah candle-making, gift wrapping, and songs. For kids ages 0 – 5 and their families, RSVP requested.
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, 270 West 89th St
Saturday, Dec. 17, 4 – 5:15 p.m.
Family Hanukkah Havdalah
Get ready for Hanukkah with a family havdalah, followed by a performance by ventriloquist Jonathan Geffner and His Dummies. RSVP requested.
Congregation Or Zarua, 127 East 82nd St
Saturday, Dec. 17, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Hanukkah Festival @ the Y of Washington Heights & Inwood
Get ready for Hanukkah with candle making, menorah crafts, donut decorating, and stories. You can even press your own olive oil.
YM&YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood, 54 Nagle Ave
Sunday, Dec. 18, 2 – 4:30
Latkepalooza!
Food, music, and hands-on activities to get you in a holiday mood.
Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place
Sunday, Dec. 18, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Hanukkah Family Puppet Show & Celebration
A Hanukkah puppet show by Wonderspark Puppets followed by holiday treats. Best for children ages 7 and under, RSVP requested.
Congregation Rodeph Sholom, 7 West 83rd St, btw Columbus & Amsterdam Ave
Sunday, Dec. 18, 10 a.m. – Noon
92Y Hanukkah Festival
Build a menorah, make an edible dreidel, create your own holiday cards, play in the holiday game room, and enjoy live performances including Wondergy Cool Science Show and Shababa Sparks.
92nd St Y, 1395 Lexington Ave @ 92nd St
Sunday, Dec. 18, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Hanukkah Family Day @ The Jewish Museum
A fun-filled day of Hanukkah activities including craft projects, tours, storytelling, and two performances by kid rocker Shir La La. Best for ages 3 and up, free with museum admission.
The Jewish Museum, 1109 5th Ave.
Sunday, Dec. 18, Noon – 4 p.m.
Staten Island
Something From Nothing
Watch an animated film based on the PJ Library book “Something from Nothing” followed by Hanukkah activities, crafts, and snacks. RSVP requested
JCC of Staten Island, 1466 Manor Rd
Saturday, Dec. 10, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Westchester
Monday, Dec. 4 – Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016
Bim Bam Shabbat
Singing, stories, candles, grape juice, and challah, led by the fun-loving staff of Ramah Day Camp in Nyack. Best for
ages 4 and under, RSVP requested.
Irvington Public Library, 12 South Astor St, Irvington
Friday, Dec. 9, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Kids’ Hanukkah Storytime
Rabbi Stein from Greenburgh Hebrew Center will read the PJ Library story “A Hanukkah with Mazel” followed by a holiday-themed activity.
Barnes & Noble – Yonkers, Central Plaza (south of Ardsley Rd), 2614 Central Park Ave, Yonkers
Sunday, Dec. 11, 2 – 2:30 p.m.
Latkepalooza Hanukkah Fair & Celebration
Make a LEGO menorah or dreidel, decorate a cupcake, taste different olive oils, and nosh on latkes and donuts.
Temple Beth Abraham, 25 Leroy Ave, Tarrytown
Sunday, Dec. 11, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Community Hanukkah Celebration
Performances for all ages featuring Wondersparks Puppets, Mario the Magician, and Musical IQ, PJ Library story time, and holiday crafts and activities. RSVP requested.
Westchester Jewish Center, 175 Rockland Ave, Mamaroneck
Sunday, Dec. 11, 4 – 6 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 12 – Sunday, 18, 2016
Community Hanukkah Celebration
Join the JCC of Harrison for Hanukkah candle lighting, crafts, latkes and other holiday activities. RSVP requested.
Purchase Community House, 3095 Purchase St, Purchase
Tuesday, Dec. 13, 5:45 – 7:45 p.m.
Young Families Hanukkah Celebration
A short Shabbat service followed by latkes, games, crafts, and music.
Congregation Emanu-El Of Westchester. 2125 Westchester Ave East, Rye
Saturday, Dec. 17, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Hanukkah Palooza
Decorate cookies, press your own olive oil, play holiday-themed games, and nosh on some latkes. RSVP requested.
Jewish Community Center of Harrison, 130 Union Ave, Harrison
Sunday, Dec. 18, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Family Hanukkah Party
Crafts, dreidels, PJ Library story time, menorah making, karaoke, and holiday treats including nut-free chocolate gelt. RSVP requested.
Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont & Emanu-El, 2 Ogden Rd, Scarsdale
Sunday, Dec. 11, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
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