Chanukah 2023 will begin in the evening of Thursday, December 7th and ends in the evening of Friday, December 15th.
NSCI is here to be your resource to help prepare you for a meaningful Chanukah experience. We hope this page will provide you the tools you need to elevate your holiday.
Take pictures or video of your Chanukah celebration whether that's your family lighting your Chanukah menorah, enjoying latkes, baking sufganiyot (donuts) or playing spin the dreidel. Share on social media using #NSCILights and tag us at @we.are.nsci!
EVENTS
Winter Coat Drive
Through December 14th
Spread the warmth of the Chanukah light by donating new or gently used coats and gloves (no hats, please!) in all sizes from infant to adult XL. The coats will go to children and adults in the Chicagoland area in need. Look for the donation bin in the entrance to the Goodman Center for Jewish Education.
Saturday, December 2nd, 4:30–6:00 pm
Discover the miracle of Chanukah and join NSCI Tots for an Encanto-themed Chanukah celebration! Take part in Encanto and Chanukah-themed projects and activities, and welcome a special guest! This event also includes a Chanukah treat and kids’ dinners.
Chanukah Cookie Decorating with WNSCI
Monday, December 4th, 6:30–8:30 pm, at NSCI
Join us for an evening of Chanukah Cookie Decorating. Arrive at 6:00 pm for a light nosh before the fun starts! From 6:30–8:30 pm, cookie decorating aficionado and owner of One Happy Cookie Bakery, Jamie Haddad, will lead us through the art of cookie decorating. The cost of attendance is $40 and includes 4 cookies, royal icing, and all of the other supplies needed to decorate and take home your creations. Register here.
Senior Connections: Chanukah Celebration!
Wednesday, December 6th, 12:30–2:30 pm in Rebecca K. Crown Social Hall
Celebrate Chanukah with your friends from Senior Connections! Join us for latkes and donuts and stay for a lively musical afternoon featuring a duet from the Chicago Klezmer Ensemble. There is no charge to attend. We encourage you to bring a friend.
Shabbat Chanukah and Honoring Judy Weiss
Friday, December 8, 2023, 6:15 pm at NSCI
At this year’s Shabbat Chanukah service, we will kindle the Chanukah lights together as we offer our gratitude to our longstanding teacher Judy Weiss for her decades of service to NSCI students of all ages as she embarks upon her retirement. Judy began teaching at NSCI in 1994 and every new year with her has been a pleasure and a gift. Bring your own menorah to light, and enjoy a latke/donut oneg.
Sunday, Dec. 10 from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM at NSCI
Join us for a fun, festive, family-friendly Chanukah celebration at this year’s Family Winter Fest! Enjoy special Chanukah activities, games, crafts, a latke bar, sufganiyot, and a Chanukah mitzvah project.
For each night of Chanukah this year, we'll be going live on Facebook at 6:00 pm CST, lighting the Chanukah candles and sharing something unique about Chanukah. Make sure to like and follow our Facebook page ahead of time so you don't miss the festival of lights with NSCI. If you want to be notified when we go live, click Follow settings on our Facebook page and choose "Favorites" from the list and click "Save."
You do not need a Facebook account to watch, so if you don't have one, simply visit our videos page here at 6:00 PM each day and click the video (you may need to refresh to see it) to watch.
After each video has aired we'll post it to our Youtube page if you'd like to watch later. It will also still be available for viewing on our Facebook page.
Chanukah resources
If you are in need of a Chanukah themed playlist, packed with spirited songs about lights and latkes to share, check out the playlist below on Spotify, free to listen
Please click on resource links below to help you celebrate Chanukah and learn about the rich history and traditions of this holiday.
- Betty Greene's Latke Recipe (Rabbi Greene's mother)
- Chanukah Blessings (written)
- Chanukah Blessings (video)
- Eight Nights of Chanukah Giving (Tikkun Olam opportunities)
- What is Chanukah? With Bim Bam
- Chanukah Customs & Rituals
- Chanukah Recipes
- Chanukah Story
- Dreidel Game Instructions
- Virtual Dreidel Game
- Chanukah Lights (NPR) - Generation-spanning Chanukah short fiction read aloud
For Kids: Check out these amazing resources and make sure to follow the NSCI Tots Instagram page if you have young children.
- PJ Library Chanukah Resources
- Chanukah Blessings (video) with Shaboom!
- The Chanukah Shaboom! Special with Bim Bam
- Kid-Friendly Chanukah Story
- Chanukah Hokey Pokey Song
- Dreidel Song with Bim Bam
- Chanukah Songs for Children with The Kiboomers Kids Music Channel
- Family Crafts, Recipes, The Basics, and more with 18 Doors
- Family Activities
- Jewish Book Council
- Childrens Chanukah Audio Books
- Chanukah Videos
