Get your potato peeler ready, because Hanukkah starts in less than one week! This year is extra special, because we have not one, but two whole weekends to spin our dreidels and eat our latkes. To help you get in the holiday spirit, we’ve rounded up a list of Hanukkah events happening in Essex, Morris, Union, Somerset, and Sussex counties. So dust off your dreidel, bust out your calendar, and start planning some Hanukkah fun.
Hanukkah 2015 begins at sundown on Sunday, December 6th, and continues until sundown on Monday, December 14th.
Editor’s Note: These pages were prepared using the most current information available, but before you pack up and shlep the kids out of the house, we recommend checking with each individual event organizer/organization to make sure that all of the information listed is correct.
TGI-Shabbat & Hanukkah
Shabbat dinner followed by a festive Shabbat service. For families with children ages 7 and under. RSVP Required.
Morristown Jewish Center, 177 Speedwell Ave., Morristown
Friday, Dec. 4, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Hanukkah Celebration @ the JCC
Get into the groove at a Hanukkah sing-a-along with Jammin’ Jared at three separate show times. Before or after the show, take a dip in the indoor pool or a run around the playground. For families with children ages 5 and under. Free and open to all.
JCC of Central NJ, 1391 Martine Ave., Scotch Plains
Sunday, Dec. 6, Shows @ 9:30, 10:15 & 11 a.m.
Israeli Dancing & Hanukkah Crafts
Get in the Hanukkah spirit with PJ Library, Israeli dancing, and Hanukkah crafts. Best for children ages 5 and under, along with their favorite adults. RSVP requested, but not required.
Golda Och Academy Lower School, 122 Gregory Ave., West Orange
Sunday, Dec. 6., 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Open House Family Fun Day
Have some Hanukkah fun while checking out the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy. RSVP requested but not required.
Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy, 110 S. Orange Ave., Livingston
Sunday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Hanukkah Party & Brunch
Enjoy brunch sponsored by the synagogue Brotherhood, followed by crafts for kids. You can also donate coats to the Youth Group’s coat drive, and pick up last minute gifts at the Sisterhood Judaica Shop.
Temple Sha’aray Shalom, 78 Springfield Ave., Springfield
Sunday, Dec. 6, 10:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Children’s Hanukkah Celebration
A musical Hanukkah celebration with an interactive story time. RSVP requested
YM-YWHA of Union County, 501 Green Lane, Union
Sunday, Dec. 6, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Hanukkah Fun-akah Open House–Scotch Plains
Stop by for a Hanukkah treat, crafts, and a chance to meet other new families in your area. RSVP required.
Private Home, Scotch Plains, address provided upon RSVP
Sunday, Dec. 6, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Hanukkah Fun-akah Open House–Mountain Lakes
Stop by for a Hanukkah treat, crafts, and a chance to meet other new families in your area. RSVP required.
Private Home, Mountain Lakes, address provided upon RSVP
Monday, Dec. 7, 9:30 – 11 a.m.
Hanukkah Helping Hands
Celebrate the second night of Hanukkah by giving back. Light Hanukkah candles together, and then help assemble holiday food baskets for those in need.
Temple Emanu-El of Westfield, 756 E Broad St., Westfield
Tuesday, Dec. 8, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Temple Tykes–Hanukkah Fun
Holiday fun and learning for kids ages 3 – 5 and their grown-ups. Drop the kids off for holiday crafts, songs, and a PJ Library story led by a teacher, while the grown-ups enjoy a holiday-related discussion with the Rabbi. Finish up with a pasta dinner. Free and open to all. RSVP requested.
Temple Sholom of West Essex, 760 Pompton Ave. (Rt. 23), Cedar Grove
Tuesday, Dec. 8, 4 – 5:45 p.m.
Family Hanukkah Party
Hanukkah candle lighting, dreidel games, live music, latkes, jelly donuts, and light snacks. BYOH–Bring Your Own Hanukkiah.
Shomrei Emunah, 67 Park St., Montclair
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Hanukkah Fun-akah Open House House–Millburn
Stop by for a Hanukkah treat, crafts, and a chance to meet other new families in your area. RSVP required.
Private Home, Millburn, address provided upon RSVP
Friday, Dec. 11, 3 – 4 p.m.
Shabbat Hanukkah in PJ’s
Come in your finest PJ’s for a family-friendly Shabbat dinner, followed by a lively Shabbat service with singing and dancing. RSVP requested. For families with children ages 0 – 8.
Congregation Agudath Israel, 20 Academy Rd., Caldwell
Friday, Dec. 11, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Hanukkah Family Service
A family-friendly, music-filled service celebrating Shabbat and Hanukkah. RSVP requested but not required.
Temple Sholom of West Essex, 760 Pompton Ave. (Rt. 23), West Essex
Friday, Dec. 11, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Hanukkah Shabbat
Bring your own hanukkiah and light candles together, followed by Shabbat services, Hanukkah songs, and sufganiot (doughnuts).
Temple Emanu-El of Westfield, 756 E. Broad St., Westfield
Friday, Dec. 11, 7:45 – 9:45 p.m.
Hanukkah Tot Shabbat
Celebrate Hanukkah and Shabbat with a brief, child-friendly service followed by Hanukkah treats. RSVP requested but not required.
Congregation B’nai Israel, 160 Millburn Ave., Millburn, NJ 07041
Saturday, Dec. 12, 10:30 a.m.
PJ Library Messy Hanukkah
Join PJ Library for Hanukkah treats, make holiday crafts, and don’t worry about the mess! What could be better? Free and open to all. RSVP requested but not required.
Gottesman RTW Academy, 146 Dover Chester Rd, Randolph
Sunday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. – Noon
Hannukah Concert with Ellen Allard
Adults and kids alike will be singing and dancing along to award-winning musician Ellen Allard’s Hanukkah tunes. Open to all, no RSVP necessary.
Temple Sinai, 208 Summit Ave., Summit
Sunday, Dec. 13, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Hanukkah Celebration
Religious school and preschool open house followed by holiday crafts, and a laser light show. Come for all, or just part of the program.
Morristown Jewish Center, 177 Speedwell Ave., Morristown
Sunday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Light Up the World
Make the world a brighter place with a special Hanukkah social action project, followed by lunch and Hanukkah treats. For families with children ages 5 and under.
Temple Sholom, 1925 Lake Ave., Soctch Plains
Sunday, Dec. 13, Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Menorah of Warmth
Music, magic, crafts, latkes, donuts, hot beverages, and public menorah lighting. Attendees are asked to bring winter gear to donate to those in need.
Hinck Building Atrium, 486 Bloomfield Ave. (Outside the Bow Tie Claridge theater, Montclair
Sunday, Dec. 13, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Beit Tefilah Israeli Concert
Enjoy a concert by Beit Tefilah Israeli followed by Hanukkah candle lighting and dinner.
Adath Shalom, 841 Mountain Way, Morris Plains, NJ
Sunday, Dec. 13, 5 p.m.
Still haven’t found the perfect place to top your latke? Check out the JFamily Community Calendar for more family-friendly events in your area.
Planning to celebrate at home this year? Why not whip up some Everything Bagel Latkes, Pulled Brisket-Topped Latkes, or some traditional-yet-Michelin-Star-worthy latkes. Feeling crafty? Here are a few, kid-friendly crafts you can easily try at home.
