Jewish Life in Boston | JewishBoston

Hanukkah: light up the night

Hanukkah begins Wednesday, Dec. 25, and continues for eight days, ending Thursday, Jan. 2. Find recipes, how-to guides for lighting and cleaning a menorah, events in Greater Boston and more.

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A menorah at the burned ruins of the Siman-Tov family home in Kibbutz Nir Oz in Israel (Photo: Jennifer Weinstock)

Read / Jew(ish)

Light in the Darkest Place

Maybe the lesson of the second Hanukkah after Oct. 7 is that the only way to bring light to the darkest place is to be the person who brings it.

By Jennifer Weinstock

For Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP)

Tea ceremony

Read / Jew(ish)

The Flaming Tea Ceremony: A Hanukkah Tradition Rekindled

A fiery twist on Russian tea customs brings warmth, light and sweet memories to Hanukkah celebrations.

By Judy Bolton-Fasman

For JewishBoston

(Photo: iStock/chameleonseye)

Read / Tradition

Quick and Easy Guide to Lighting the Menorah

An easy-to-follow, printable reference guide.

For JewishBoston

melaniecamp

Read / Plus Kids

What To Know About Hanukkah’s “5th Night” Philanthropy Movement

Local mom Rachel Glazer created a philanthropic tradition over a decade ago that still shines brightly.

For JewishBoston

Rabbi Marc Baker

Watch

Creating Light, Sharing in Miracles

As I reflect on Hanukkah’s message of hope, I urge the community to light candles for all the hostages continuing to sit in darkness.

By Rabbi Marc Baker

For Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP)

Read / Jew(ish)

Boston’s Top 10 Latkes

From the creative to the classic.

For JewishBoston

Kane

Read / Jew(ish)

A Dozen Delightful Sufganiyot Spots

Make your holidays a bit sweeter with our top picks in Boston.

For JewishBoston

Maccabee Bar

Read / Young(ish)

The Hanukkah Cocktail Pop-Up Maccabee Bar Is Back

Raise a glass to the Festival of Lights: Maccabee Bar returns to Harvard Square with festive cocktails, savory snacks and holiday cheer.

For JewishBoston

local holiday events

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Aeronaut Brewing Company Somerville

event / January 2, 7:00 pm

Yisod 9th Night of Hanukkah Party

Hosted by Yisod – 20s and 30s, Temple Emanuel of Newton

See more and register

izusek iStock

event / January 2, 7:00 pm

Standup Comedy Show: L’Chaim Laugh Fest

See more and register

Improv Asylum

event / January 2, 8:00 pm

See more and register

hanukkah-dad-grass-BsGQHOuOo0k-unsplash

event / January 5, 4:00 pm

Annual Artistic Hanukkah Festival

Hosted by Center Makor

See more and register

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sufganiyot_large_sufganiyot_large

Read / Tradition

Our Best Hanukkah Recipes: New Twists on Holiday Classics

From fried pickles to cinnamon-sugar latkes, our recipe collection includes delicious twists on traditional favorites.

For JewishBoston

(Photo: Kali Foxman)

Read / Jew(ish)

No Gelt, No Glory: Hanukkah Taste-Test

A helpful chocolate gelt guide.

For JewishBoston

Miriam Anzovin

Read / Young(ish)

Modern Talmud: Miriam Anzovin’s Pop-Culture Jewish Storytelling

Miriam Anzovin, a CJP and JArts Community Creative Fellow, reimagines Talmudic teachings on TikTok with humor, pop culture and modern insights.

For JewishBoston

A.J. Rubin

Read / Young(ish)

Reviving Jewish Vaudeville: A.J. Rubin’s Art of Music, Clowning and Inclusivity

A.J. Rubin, a CJP and JArts Community Creative Fellow, blends Jewish vaudeville, jazz and circus arts to create performances that lift diverse voices.

For JewishBoston

arts & culture events in boston

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izusek iStock

event / January 2, 7:00 pm

Standup Comedy Show: L’Chaim Laugh Fest

See more and register

Improv Asylum

event / January 2, 8:00 pm

See more and register

(Photo: Colin Campbell/iStock)

event / January 3, 9:30 am

Hosted by Temple Emunah

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Musical instrument electronic synthesizer on a background of colored rays. Background on the theme of music, disco and synthesizer games.

event / January 4, 8:00 pm

Electronic Jerusalem: Ecstatic Dance Party

Hosted by Temple Beth Zion

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Screenshot 2024-11-05 at 3.35.23 PM

event / December 8, 10:00 am

Kids Open Play at Schechter

Hosted by Schechter Boston

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hanukkah-dad-grass-BsGQHOuOo0k-unsplash

event / January 5, 4:00 pm

Annual Artistic Hanukkah Festival

Hosted by Center Makor

See more and register

Farewell_Agile1

event / January 9, 6:30 pm

“Farewell Mr. Haffmann” Film Screening

Hosted by Center for Adult Jewish Learning at Temple Israel of Boston, Temple Israel of Boston

See more and register

Little singing girl. Shot over blue background.

event / December 6, 9:30 am

Sing and Play Baby Group

Hosted by Temple Beth Avodah

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From left: Robert Saoud, Janis Hudson, Jayden Declet, Ken Crossman, Channing Rion and Amy Liou in Adam Theater’s “Library Lion” (Photo: Nile Scott Studio)

event / January 10, 5:00 pm

Adam Theater’s “Library Lion” Musical Play

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Rashi's art teacher with young children in the art room

event / January 12, 10:00 am

Hosted by The Rashi School

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Jayden Declet and Library Lion (by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop) in Adam Theater’s “Library Lion” (Photo: Dan Jentzen)

Read / Plus Kids

“Library Lion” Roars Onto the Stage in a Musical Celebration of Inclusivity and Jewish Values

Adam Theater’s heartwarming production at Calderwood Pavilion features a three-person-operated puppet created by Jim Henson’s Creature Workshop.

By Penny Schwartz

For JewishBoston

Adrien Brody in “The Brutalist” (Courtesy: Lol Crawley/A24)

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“The Brutalist” Showcases Fortitude, Trauma and Architectural Genius

Starring Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, “The Brutalist” follows Holocaust survivor Lázsló Tóth rebuilding his life in post-war America.

By Judy Bolton-Fasman

For JewishBoston

Amichai Kluger and Sisters

Read / Plus Kids

Bar Mitzvah Twins Across Continents

From Boston to Israel: How one boy’s bar mitzvah helps Israeli families in need.

By Natalie Vinegar