Chanukah 2024 at Congregation B’nai Israel

Love and Light! Wednesday, December 25 through Thursday, January 2

From Menorah Contests and Sufganiyot to Candle Lightings and Latkes & Libations, create Chanukah memories with your CBI Family!

Scroll down to find out our Chanukah "ch"appenings.

events

Kantor Family Center for Justice Holiday Toy Drive

Monday, December 2 through Friday, December 27

Help us spread the holiday spirit! We are collecting unwrapped toys and gift cards for children of all ages for our toy drive. Donations will be given to JAFCO Kids, Family Promise, and Give Back Christmas Feast to ensure children throughout the community have a toy to call their own this year.

We are collecting donations at all of the following events:

  • Chanukarama
  • NCECE Chanukah Shows & Book Fair
  • Latkes & Libations
  • Friday Evening & Saturday Morning Shabbat Services throughout December

or items can be dropped off in the Admin Circle Starting December 2nd

  • Monday - Thursday: 9:30AM - 5PM
  • Friday: 9:30AM - 4PM

For questions, please call the office at 561.241.8118.

NCECE Chanukarama

Sunday, December 8
3PM - 5PM

Get your groove on at the "Glow" Dance Party with DJ Danny, a high-energy dance class with Mizfit that will have you spinning, shaking, and moving to the spirit of Chanukah! Enjoy a holiday carnival packed with rides, prizes, and nonstop fun for all ages, and prepare to be amazed by jaw-dropping tricks and illusions from our magician. Get crafty with Chanukah-inspired creations by Artnest and dig into delicious bites, from cheesy slices and crispy latkes to sweet munchkins and classic carnival treats!

Please bring an unwrapped gift to donate to our toy drive.

SLJ Family Menorah Contest

The Annual CBI Family Menorah Contest is an opportunity for parents and children to create a Jewish keepsake. It is our hope that families will work on the menorah together, learn and have fun together and create wonderful memories.

Please drop off your menorah in the SLJ office between December 8 and 15. Winners will be announced at Friday Evening Shabbat Services on December 20th. 

Latkes & Libations

Thursday, December 19
6PM
VIP Cocktail Lounge

Hosted by CBI's Empty Nesters

Join the Empty Nesters for a pre-Chanukah celebration with cocktails & light bites, a latke bar, Chanukah raffle, and soufganiyot.

$36 for Members
$54 for Member Couples
$46 for Guests
$64 for Guest Couples

Registration is required by December 13th.

Bring Light to a Child In Need

Bring a new, unwrapped toy or gift card as a donation to the children of JAFCO or make a donation to Sweet Dream Makers.

Volunteer at Town Center Mall's Give Back Christmas Feast

Wednesday, December 25

Help make the holidays a little brighter for hundreds of underserved families by volunteering at the Nutcracker-inspired Christmas Feast at Town Center Mall or donate unwrapped toys so that every child can go home with a gift!

Chanukah Shabbat

Friday, December 27
5:15PM Dinner
6:30PM Shabbat Services followed by Chanukah Oneg

Join us on the 3rd night of Chanukah for our family-friendly Chanukah Shabbat celebration! Let’s celebrate together with latkes and sufganiyot. 

Registration is required.

PJ Library Light Up Chanukah Celebration

Monday, December 30
5PM - 7PM
Boca Center

Join CBI Clergy, PJ Library, and the Jewish community for a Chanukah celebration including story time, arts & crafts, candle lighting and a concert.

Registration is required.

CHANUKAH CHANDBOOK

The Meaning of Chanukah

The word “Chanukah” means “dedication” in Hebrew and commemorates the victory of a small group of Jewish rebels (led by the Maccabees) over the armies of Syria and the subsequent liberation and “rededication” of the Temple in Jerusalem.

How to Play Dreidel

A favorite Chanukah activity is playing dreidel with friends and family. Legend attributes this custom to Jews during the time of the Chanukah story who would grab a dreidel and start to play if Syrian soldiers entered the house during Torah study or prayer. Four Hebrew letters — nun, gimel, hey, and shin — adorn the sides of the dreidel; they represent the words nes gadol hayah sham, meaning “a great miracle happened there.” If you don’t know how to play this family-favorite, click below for a video tutorial.

Chanukah Recipes

Foods fried in oil are traditionally eaten during Chanukah. In the Chanukah story they symbolize the miracle of oil that burned for eight days instead of one. Here are some yummy recipes that you can make with your family:

Lighting the Candles

The lighting of Chanukah candles goes according to a specific order and has blessings that accompany it.

On the first of Chanukah’s eight nights, only two candles are placed in the menorah: the shammash, or “helper” candle, which has its own designated spot (usually in the center), and another candle. Each night, another candle is added so that on the eighth and final night of Chanukah, nine candles (the shammas plus eight others) are lit.

The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left (just as Hebrew is written), but are lit from left to right. The shammash candle is always the first one lit and is used to light the others, starting with the left-most one.

Before lighting the candles (but after placing them in the menorah), we recite the blessings. Click below to download a printable PDF of them.

Family-Friendly Chanukah Playlist

Whether you're hosting a Chanukah party or simply want to turn on some Jewish tunes as you light the candles with your family, this Spotify playlist will keep you rockin’ all Chanukah long!