Chanukah
CHANUKAH 2023
Thursday 7 – Thursday 14 December 2023
Chanukah has become one of the most well-known festivals of the Jewish calendar. Yet this is a relatively new phenomenon, and is no doubt impacted by the festivals proximity to other festivals! As British Jews, however, we can really appreciate the delight of celebrating a festival of lights at the darkest and coldest time of year. In fact Chanukah is timed to coincide with not just the shortest days, but the darkest nights, when the moon is at its slimmest.
Here are instructions, blessings and songs for you to use or download to help you enjoy lighting your Chanukiah: Chanukah Candle Lighting instructions You can also find these from page 374 of our Reform Judaism Siddur, Seder HaTefilot.
Chanukah Candle Lighting & Activities
For all Chanukah candle lightings where Zoom is an option please email admin@ehrs.uk for Zoom details
Thursday 7 December
First Night, 19:30-20:00
Light candles together with our Rabbis on Zoom
**In conversation with author Lawrence Cohen to hear about ‘The Book of R’: his new novel has been postponed until next year**
Friday 8 December
Erev Shabbat Chanukah Service, 18:30-19:30
Come to Synagogue to light the second night candles. Bring your Chanukiah to join all the others at EHRS. Followed by a bring and share non-meat dinner.
Saturday 9 December
Eco-Havdalah, 16:00-18:00
Join the Eco Team, as we welcome our 2023 new EHRS members with a bring and share, plant based dinner and make Havdalah together. We will be Making Havdalah candles, making Potpourri, tasting English wine and whiskys, making latkes, and Rabbi Mark will lead a discussion. This will be followed by a plant-based bring and share dinner, which is traditionally called Seudat Shlishit and will finish with Havdalah, run by the members of our Eco and Havdalah teams. Please click here to book.
Chanukah Candle Lighting, 18:30-19:00
Our Havdallah group leads our Chanukah candles lighting for second night in person and on Zoom as we also say goodbye to Shabbat Chanukah.
Sunday 10 December
Chanukah Candle Lighting, 18:30-19:00
Light candles together for fourth night with our Rabbis on Zoom
Monday 11 December
Chanukah Candle Lighting, 18:30-19:00
Light candles together for fifth night with our Rabbis on Zoom
Tuesday 12 December
Down with Doughnuts Night, 19:00-20:15 (Please note change of time to previously advertised)
Ashkenazi Jews have got used to doughnuts/sufganiot as their Chanukah food par excellence. But the Jewish world has many more Chanukah treats to enjoy. Join Rabbi Mark to taste your way around the world at Chanukah together with the stories of the communities that developed the recipes. Beginning with our Sixth Night Chanukah candle lighting. Please click here to book.
Wednesday 13 December
Seventh Night, 20:00-20:30
Join Rabbi Debbie on Zoom (or in person if you are a Young Adult coming to Beer & Shiur see below for details) for candle lighting and a blessing for Rosh Chodesh.
Thursday 14 December
Chanukah Film Night – ‘The Fabelmans’, 19:00-22:00
It’s the final night of Chanukah and a chance to enjoy this great film based on the life of film director Stephen Spielberg.
We will light the Chanukah candles at 18:30 if you would like to join us. Doughnuts and drinks at 19:00, film will start at 19:15.
Booking required, full details below.
Family Chanukah Extravaganza
Family Chanukah Extravaganza
Sunday 10 December, 10:30-12:30
Light up your morning at EHRS with inflatables, face painting, crafts, doughnuts, balloon modelling & more. Bring your Chanukiah from home for our communal lighting with our Rabbis.
Free to EHRS families ~ £10 for non EHRS families
Ticket includes one doughnut per person.
Please click here to book
Young Adults Beer & Shiur Chanukah Social
Wednesday 13 December, 20:00
Chanukah Social
Beer and Shiur will get together to eat, drink, and light some candles (and maybe do some learning!)
Our Young Adults are warmly invited to gather at EHRS for a communal lighting at 20:00, where we will be joined by Capt. (Res.) Zoe Marks who represents YATAR, a specialist first-responder anti-terror unit that currently operates in Gaza and elsewhere on Israel’s borders. She will share a short presentation for those with us in person and our congregation online, and then join us as we celebrate with special Chanukah treats and of course, Beers! (other drinks will probably be available!)
For location and details email rabbi.debbie@ehrs.uk, and to be added to the regular young adults updates.
We will begin with lighting the Chanukiah for the seventh night celebration.
Chanukah Film Night - ‘The Fabelmans’
Thursday 14 December
Chanukah Film Night – ‘The Fabelmans’, 19:00-22:00
It’s the final night of Chanukah and a chance to enjoy this great film based on the life of film director Stephen Spielberg. Told through the eyes of the fictionalised Sammy Fabelman, representing a young Spielberg, the movie focuses primarily on how the filmmaker’s family circumstances, particularly his parents’ divorce, impacted his journey to the iconic director he became.
Starring Michelle Williams & Paul Dano
Young Sammy Fabelman falls in love with movies after his parents take him to see “The Greatest Show on Earth.” Armed with a camera, Sammy starts to make his own films at home, much to the delight of his supportive mother.
We will light the Chanukah candles at 18:30 if you would like to join us. Doughnuts and drinks at 19:00, film will start at 19:15.
Please click here to book.