Hanukkah Happenings 2021
Happy (almost) Hanukkah everyone! With events happening online, outdoors, and indoors (with some extra precautions), there are so many wonderful ways to celebrate together here in Southern Maine.
Here are 14 Hanukkah Happenings to help keep your annual traditions full of life and full of light!
For Hanukkah crafts, recipes, music and activities, check out our Hanukkah Hub.
Chabad of Brunswick
Chanukah Wonderland
At the Curtis Memorial Library (Brunswick) – Morrell Meeting Room
Sunday, November 21st, 2021, 1:00-2:30pm
$5 per child
-Create your own Beeswax Candle
-Olive Oil Press Workshop
-Chanukah Arts N Crafts
-Dress up like Judah Maccabee
-The Chanukah Big Book
-Donuts & Latkas to go
FMI call 207-370-4522 or Email: info@jewishbrunswick.com
JCA and Maine Jewish Film Festival
Hanukkah Film Festival
November 28th – December 5th, 2021
1 TICKET | 8 NIGHTS | 11 FILMS
Celebrate the Hanukkah season with eight nights of exclusive, award-winning new films, available to view from the comfort of home via your TV, computer or mobile devices. Tickets: $36 with promo code “MAINE” Your ticket purchase provides limited-time access to this series of 11 films, plus exclusive filmmaker discussions and more, with new content added each night of Hanukkah. This series is available throughout North America, in partnership with film festivals, synagogues and Jewish organizations across the U.S. and Canada. Proceeds from your purchase support Jewish cultural programming in our community!
Beth Israel Congregation (Bath)
Chanukah Scavenger Hunt
November 28th – December 5th, 2021
There are eight nights of Chanukah, and there are 8 downtown Bath store locations with a Beth Israel menorah in the window. Walk Front & Centre Streets to find all 8, fill in the store
names, and submit your answers by noon on December 5 to be entered in the Chanukah Scavenger Hunt raffle.
Congregation Etz Chaim (Portland)
Cantor Nesis will be leading a short children’s Chanukah party outside in the garden at Etz Chaim on the first night of Chanukah, with song singing, story telling, refreshments and giveaways!
Please RSVP to Portlandrabbi@gmail.com.
Chabad of Maine
Chabad of Maine
Family Menorah Hop
Enjoy music, hot latkes & donuts, dreidels & gelt, crafts and The Chanukah Big Book! Select your time and date using the image link below.
Chabad of Brunswick
Chanukah Celebration and Grand Menorah Lighting
Fun for the entire family! FEATURING A MEGA 9 FOOT MENORAH. You will enjoy hot potato latkes, fresh donuts, chocolate ‘gelt’ and MEGA GELT DROP by the Brunswick Fire Dept!
Children will have a blast with the balloon twisting and making Chanukah edible crafts. Dance to the Chanukah music. Chanukah giveaway for all children. This event is for all ages. The Menorah will be lit at 5:30pm.
Temple Beth El
Wednesday, December 1st | 5:00 – 7:00PM
No RSVP required. Free admission, knishes for purchase (cash preferred). See you there!
Congregation Bet Ha’am
Light Up the Night Family Chanukah Shabbat Service
In the past, this service included over 100 folks from the Bet Ha’am community, gathered to celebrate Chanukah and welcome Shabbat, lighting dozens of chanukiot (Chanukah menorahs) in our sanctuary garden windows. We’ll still be holding the service–albeit differently and on Zoom. We will share more details soon!
Center For Small Town Jewish Life with Community Partners Around the State
Hanukkah, Together • A Maine Festival of Lights Celebration
Online via Zoom
Saturday, December 4th | 5:30 PM
Hanukkah is on the horizon, and we’re dreaming of sufganiyot, hanukkiyot lit in windows, and gathering as a statewide community. You’ll have to find your own fried treats, but we hope you’ll join us to celebrate the Festival of Lights! Our Maine rabbis will lead us in a spirited havdalah, and we’ll light candles together—don’t forget to have your own hanukkiah on hand! There is a Hanukkah play in the works, being written by Rebbetzin Lisa Mayer just for this celebration, to be performed by our rabbis. We’ll also enjoy music from Rabbi Sruli and Rebbetzin Lisa!
Mark your calendars and use this link to register: https://colbycollegejewishlife.regfox.com/statewide-hanukkah-2021
Congregation Etz Chaim (Portland)
Attendees will show proof of vaccination; wear masks when not eating; enjoy your favorite Chanukah songs; come alone or with your family; AND enjoy latkes, sufganiyot & more!
Please let us know if you think you would like to attend. Please RSVP to Portlandrabbi@gmail.com.
Congregation Etz Chaim (Biddeford)
Sunday, December 5th | 4:00 – 6:00 PM
4 pm Candle Lighting by our Hebrew School Students & Friends
Songs Led by Cantor Strassler
Telling the Hanukkah Story: Maccabees!
4:15-5 The Casco Bay Tummlers return (virtually)
Klezmer Music & Sing Alongs
5-5:15 Montage of Families Lighting Menorahs throughout the
Congregation Etz Chaim Community *
5:15-6 pm Israeli Folk Dancing with Barbara Merson
Learn & Dance in the comfort of your home
* To include your family in the presentation, send your pix to photos@etzchaimme.org before Friday, December 3
Beth Israel Congregation (Bath)
Latkes, candles, games and songs
Chabad of Maine
Pre game Chanukah party with Beacon the Puffin, Menorah Lighting on the Ice at end of first period, and Chanukah fun throughout the game!
Hanukkah Gift Shops:
Bet Ha’am (81 Westbrook Street, South Portland):
- Chanukah candles: $2 or $8
- Chanukiyot (Menorahs): Traditional or electric starting at $10
- Gelt: No nuts/pareve, $1.05 per bag
- Assorted dreidels and holiday cards
Temple Beth El (400 Deering Avenue, Portland):
Hours will be as follows:
- Thursday 11/18 from 12-5pm
- Friday 11/19 9am-3pm
- Sunday 11/21 from 9am-12pm
- Monday 11/22 – Tuesday 11/23 from 1-6pm
What if I forget something?! Will you be open during Thanksgiving? TBE’s office will be closed for Thanksgiving from Wednesday, November 24 through Sunday, November 28, but we will be offering honor system, self-serve Chanukah basics for sale in the bin next to our main entrance.
We accept payment via cash, check, or credit card. Questions? Email office@tbemaine.org or call (207) 774-2649 during office hours.
Maine Jewish Museum (267 Congress Street, Portland):
Need a new menorah? Last minute gift? Ran out of Hanukkah candles? The Maine Jewish Museum has just what you need! Check out our selection of beautiful menorahs and gifts done by some of our favorite local artists. Call 207-239-4774 for pricing and details.
Did we miss your Hanukkah event? Email Trevor at tgeiger(at)mainejewish.org and we’ll try to include it.
thsnk you
You are very welcome! Happy Hanukkah!