Get out your skillets – it’s the month for fried foods!
Hanukkah is one of those holidays that have the ADULT version and the CHILD version. Typically it is the G Rated version, the one focusing on bringing light into a dark time, the miracle of the oil lasting eight nights. That oil had brought us fried foods – for Ashkenazim (Eastern European Jews) that means latkes. Sephardic Jews (Middle Eastern and Northern African) lean into fried dough – a wider range of Middle Eastern foods that look like doughnuts, fritters, pancakes.
I’m not a big fan of potatoes, so my latkes are made with a combination of root vegetables (See this recipe). But I’m always ready for any version of doughnuts. Here are some ideas to spice up your frying with Sephardic treats.
Hanukkah and Christmas
This year Hanukkah begins at sunset on Sunday, December 14. Christmas is eleven days later. I’m curious to know how you handle these holidays? Do you celebrate both? Do you try to combine them or make them distinct? This year they won’t overlap so for those who prefer separate celebrations, it will be easier.
Christmas can be quite difficult for some Jews and for some interfaith families. I want to remind you that there is NOT a one size fits all approach. Yes, there are some issues that you need to face, but your solution may be different from your friends. Please remember that the most important person at your celebrations is your child(ren). Be mindful of what you are teaching them and be clear, as a couple, on why you are doing whatever it is that your family has chosen. As a parent I can guarantee that you will make mistakes. Just be ready to hear your child out if they object to your choice.
If you want to talk about it, feel free to contact me. We can brainstorm. BUT I suggest that you not mount an argument to change this year’s plans. It’s too close. You have a year to explore what you want in December 2026.
Random fun – Hanukkah PJs
I Hope to see you this month – I have listed two events that I’m sharing with other organizations. Both are Hanukkah events – on December 14 and 17!
EVENTS
Wandering Jews: Highlighting the Diversity of our Global Jewish Stories (San Rafael)
Young Family and Preschool Shabbat Service and Dinner (Tiberon)
Festival of Lights (San Rafael)
December Dilemma (San Jose)
Sababa Hanukkah Shabbat Morning (Oakland)
Hanukkah Dance Party! (Walnut Creek)
Lots-a-Latkes Hanukkah Party (Oakland)
Love You a Latke Chanukah Party (San Francisco)
Hanukkah Party with Isaac Zones! (San Carlos)
Afikomen 4th Night Hanukkah Party w/ Olamim (Berkeley)
Chanukah Celebration (San Leandro)
Chanukah Shabbat (San Francisco)
Solstice Hanuka with Lunar (Bay Area, private home)
Wandering Jews: Highlighting the Diversity of our Global Jewish Stories
Join Corrine Levy from Morocco in this discussion.
Did you know that 100 years ago, Jews were the majority population in Salonika, Greece? Does it surprise you to know that Jews came to Argentina in the 16th century?
The majority of Jews in the US have roots in Ashkenazi Eastern European countries. But many Jews come from the Middle East, Africa, Asia and South America.
We’ll be hearing from members of our Rodef Sholom community who will share their experiences and perspectives about growing up in their Jewish homelands.
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 3
Time: 12noon
Place: Rodef Sholom, 170 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael
RSVP HERE
Young Family and Preschool Shabbat Service and Dinner
Join us for our young family community Shabbat! We’ll have a short, child-centered service followed by dinner in the Beit Am. You are welcome to bring a bottle of wine to share if you’d like!
Friday, December 5
Time: 5:00 – 7:00pm
Place: Kol Shofar, 215 Blackfield Drive, Tiburon
Cost: $25/adult
Register here
Festival of Lights
Join Rodef Sholom and our community partners for the ultimate Chanukah celebration!This free event offers something for everyone: enjoy a festive holiday gift mart, live music, fun arts and crafts, delicious sweet and savory treats, and engaging activities for all ages.
Be sure to swing by the Social Hall for the Women of Rodef Sholom’s Holiday Boutique!
Date: Sunday, Dec. 7
Time: 11:30am to 2pm
Place: Osher Marin JCC & Rodef Sholom, 170 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael
RSVP HERE
December Dilemma
Join Rabbi Magat for this special Adult Education class where we will discuss the challenges so often faced by parents(particularly in interfaith families) in connection with the winter holidays. Come share your opinions and thoughts as we engage in this community dialogue.
Date: Sunday, December 7
Time: 11:00am – 12:00 noon
Place: Temple Emanu-El, 1010 University Ave., San Jose
Register here
NOTE: The website has the time down wrong. I called and it is a one hour program beginning at 11am.
Sababa Hanukkah Shabbat Morning
Celebrate the joy of Shabbat and Hanukkah with us on the preschool playground and Family Center! Children ages 0–5 and their grown-ups will gather for song, story, and Shabbat celebration, sharing in the light and warmth of the season. This month, we’ll be joined by special musical guest Veronica Fried, who will lead us in favorite Shabbat and Hanukkah songs. Everyone is welcome to this free event!
Date: Saturday, December 13
Time: 9:30am
Place: Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland
Register here
Sponsored by PJ Library
Hanukkah Dance Party!
must be 21 to attend
Get ready for a lit Hanukkah techno dance party! Join us for a night of music and good vibes with other adults in our community. This night is all about celebrating the festival of lights. Stay tuned for more details, it’s going to be one unforgettable night!
Doors open 8pm – appetizers are served + one free drink
Dance party Starts at 8:30pm- midnight
Date: Saturday, Dec 13
Time: 8:00pm
Place: Chicken Pie Shop, 1251 Arroyo Way, Walnut Creek
Cost: $25/person, $40/couple
Register here
An event of the Contra Costa JCC
Lots-a-Latkes Hanukkah Party
Food! Crafts! Candle Lighting!
I am co-hosting this community party with PJ Library and Temple Beth Abraham! It’s packed with family fun, delicious food, and meaningful holiday traditions. Activities for kids and adults.
Enjoy adult drinks provided by the Men’s Club, along with a festive shmeer catered by the wonderful Treya. Kids and families can explore hands-on activity stations run by our amazing preschool teachers, and enjoy lively, kid-friendly music led by Teacher Josh.
We’ll all come together for a beautiful community candle lighting, followed by classic Hanukkah treats, crafts, games, and—of course—lots of latkes!
Bring your family, your friends, and your holiday spirit for an evening full of light, laughter, and community connection.
Date: Sunday, Dec. 14
Time: 4:30 to 6:30pm
Place: Temple Beth Abraham, 327 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland
Because this is a catered event, an RSVP is required. Please complete this Google Form to save your spot.
* Want to add a mitzvah? Beth Abraham is in the midst of a Warm Coat Drive. You can help out by donating any: Coats, Sweaters, Gloves, Scarves, Hats, Blankets. Please bring clean, lightly used or new items for adults and children
Save the Date!
Love You a Latke Chanukah Party
Celebrate the ‘Festival of Lights’ with Sherith Littles and the Jewish Baby Network for a fabulous free event with music, crafts, Hanukkah goodie bags, stories, menorah lighting, jelly donuts (Sufganiyot), and latkes. (For Children 0-5 years old and their families)
Date: Sunday, December 14
Time: 10:30am – 12:00 noon
Place: Sherith Israel, 2266 California St, San Francisco
Registration Coming Soon! Info here
Hanukkah Party with Isaac Zones!
Get ready for Hanukkah with themed activities and music with Isaac Zones at The Reading Bug! This event is geared toward families with children 3-5 years old. Free admission; advanced registration required.
Date: Sunday, December 14
Time: 10:30-11:30am
Place: The Reading Bug, 785 Laurel St, San Carlos
Co-sponsored by Peninsula Jewish Community Center and PJ Library.
Register here
Afikomen 4th Night Hanukkah Party w/ Olamim
Two wonderful Jewish organizations come together to give everyone a community fourth night of Hanukkah.
Latin Jewish Stories and Songs w/ Olamim
Music w/ Ben Kramarz and SingJam
Community Menorah Lighting w/ Rabbi Chaim
Sufganiyot
Prizes and more!
For those of us with mixed Ashkenazi and Hispanic families this is a perfect blended experience. For those who support diverse Jewish families – the more the merrier!
Date: Wednesday December 17
Time: 4 to 6pm
Place: Afikomen, 3042 Claremont Avenue, Berkeley
https://www.afikomen.com/
Chanukah Celebration
Please join us for the annual Chanukah party at TBS. There will be delightful Chanukah songs sung by Adom, Yarok, Segol, and aftercare students. Following the performances in the sanctuary, families will feast on latkes made by members of our community. This year’s event will feature more latkes than previous years, heavier side dishes, more donuts, and even more merriment. Please stay to play dreidel and sing songs toward the end of the evening!
Date: Thursday, December 18
Time: 5:15 – 7:30pm
Place: Temple Beth Sholom, 642 Dolores Ave., San Leandro
Details HERE
Chanukah Shabbat
A Joy (and Jelly-filled) festive Chanukah Celebration
The Schedule:
5 pm: Chanukah Tot Shabbat
Calling all families with little ones ages 0–5! Come celebrate the light and joy of Shabbat and Hanukkah as a community. Together, we’ll light the menorah, spin the dreidel, and lift our voices in festive song with our clergy and musical guest from Tkiya. Enjoy a kid-friendly dinner featuring latkes, pizza, and sufganiyot. We can’t wait to brighten the evening with you! Registration required.
6 pm: Chanukah Shabbat Service
Bring your chanukiah to the sanctuary for our annual Chanukah Shabbat service and celebration with our clergy, music team and Koleynu choir.
All are welcome; registration is not required.
7:15 pm: Community-wide Dinner and Chanukah Party
Join us after a special Chanukah Shabbat service for a community dinner and Chanukah party in Newman Hall with latkes, music and dancing. Community dinners are fun, inviting and inclusive for the entire Sherith Israel community. Meet people across the generations, eat and enjoy being together.
Date: Friday, Dec 19
Time: 5-9 pm
Place: Sherith Israel, 2266 California St., San Francisco
Cost: Members, $15; Nonmembers, $20
Registration required.
Solstice Hanuka with Lunar
On December 21, come celebrate SOLSTICE ḤANUKA with the Bay Area LUNAR community. This year, the brightest and final night of Ḥanuka lands on the winter solstice, and we are marking it together. We will gather to light the candles on both traditional and fusion menorahs, followed by a vegetarian feast that brings together some of our favorite flavors. From scallion latkes with ginger applesauce to lotus paste rugelach and many more tasty treats, come hungry, come bold, and celebrate being part of the Asian Jewish community.
Date: Sunday, Dec. 21
Time: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Place: RSVP for Address
More info and sign up here
Organized by bay@weareasianjews.org