Southern Maine Hanukkah Happenings

By Trevor Geiger | December 6, 2019 |

Happy (almost) Hanukkah everyone! Time to spin the dreidel, eat some sufganiyot, stock up on candles, and get ready to make, and eat, a whole lotta latkes. As we prepare to celebrate, here are ten (make that eleven!) great ‘Hanukkah Happenings’ in Southern Maine communities that we’re sure you’ll want to attend.

Chabad of Maine and Jewish Women’s Circle

JWC Pre-Chanukah Paint & Sip

11 Pomeroy Street, Portland
Sunday, December 8th, 4:00 – 7:00 PM

 

Back by Popular Demand! Work with Mixed Media to create a stunning canvas in honor of Chanukah, with the talented Leah Salow. Enjoy drinks and desserts with friends 🙂

B’nai Portland

Chanukah Chappening

Lunt Auditorium, 74 Lunt Rd, Falmouth
Sunday, December 15th from 4:00 – 6:00 PM
$5.00 per person fee for non B’nai Portland students
Games, crafts, snacks! Yankee Swap, Toy Donation. Adults are invited to mingle and nosh too!

Please bring an WRAPPED gift for each child participating; $15.00 limit. Please bring an unwrapped gift for donation. Lastly, even though Chanukah starts later in December, please bring a family Chanukiah and 2 candles so we can share some lights of the holiday.

Congregation Etz Chaim of Biddeford

Annual York County Community  Chanukah Party

36 Bacon St, Biddeford
Sunday, December 15th, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
No early bird sign up, just pay at the door.  Recommended fee is $10 per person, or $25 max for families.

Bring a favorite dairy or veggie dish for the potluck.  We will have fresh latkes made in the synagogue kitchen, menorah lighting, singing, dreidels, gelt and dancing with the Casco Bay Tummlers.

PJ Library Southern Maine (co-sponsered by the JCA, Kadima Beth El, and Bet Ha’am)

Chanukah Songs and Stories

1342 Congress Street, Portland
Sunday, December 15th, 9:30 – 10:30 AM
FREE
Celebrate Chanukah with books, crafts, and dreidels, plus music with special guest Charlie Miller. This program is best for children ages 5 and younger with their families. Cosponsored by Kadima Beth El, Bet Ha’am Religious School, PJ Library Southern Maine and the Jewish Community Alliance.

Temple Shalom in Auburn

Mega-Chanukah Party!

74 Bradman Street, Auburn
Friday, December 20th, 4:30 PM
Suggested Donation: $8 for members, $10 for non-members, children free
Mega-Menorah lighting followed by a catered dinner, music, and games. Plus, a heart-warming Chanukah play performed by our Hebrew School! Remember to bring your Menorahs and Chanukah Candles so we can all enjoy the light together! Crafts and dreidel games available for the kids. It’s LATKE TIME ~ See you there!
RSVP – 786-4201 or temple6359@aol.com

Chabad of Brunswick

Chanukah Celebration

Brunswick Town Mall, Park Row, Brunswick, ME
Sunday, December 22nd, 4:30 – 6:30 PM
FREE ADMISSION!
Come celebrate Jewish pride and tradition this Chanukah with Chabad of Brunswick. Second Grand Menorah Lighting! A fun event for all ages!
Lighting of the Menorah: 4:30 PM at the Brunswick Town Mall
Chanukah Celebration: 5:00 PM at the Brunswick Hotel & Tavern
• lighting of a giant Menorah
• latkes and donuts
• hot soup bar
•face painting and balloon twisting
• arts & crafts
• festive music

Chabad of Maine

Grand Menorah Lighting & Chanukah Party

389 Congress Street, Portland
Sunday, December 22nd, 5:00 PM

FREE!

Please join us for the Grand Community Menorah Lighting at City Hall and enjoy live music, food, and fun for the whole family. Help build the TALLEST LEGO MENORAH that the State of Maine has ever seen!

Temple Beth El

400 Deering Avenue in Portland
Sunday, December 22nd, 3:00 – 5:00 PM
FREE
Latkes! Soup! Dreidels! The Casco Bay Tummlers! Dancing! Singing! Cookies! This event is truly fun for every age, and as always, completely free and open to all.

Congregation Bet Ha’am

Light Up the Night: Hanukkah Celebration

81 Westbrook Street, South Portland
Friday, December 27th, 5:30 – 7:30 PM

 

Light Up the Night, our annual Hanukkah Celebration and Candle Lighting! Bring your own menorah and seven candles. Stay for a delicious oneg, featuring potato latkes. The young and young-at-heart are invited to join in dreidel games and more!

5:30 PM Pizza Dinner
There is no cost for dinner, but donations are welcome.

6:00 PM Shabbat Service with Community Candle Lighting

Etz Chaim Synagogue

Annual Chanukah Party

267 Congress Street, Portland

Friday night service followed by our annual Chanukah party! We will have delicious potato latkes with Sufganiyot (Jelly Donuts)  and other light refreshments. Bring your menorah if you would like to join our display of lights! All are welcome!

 

 

Beth Israel Congregation

Community Chanukah Celebration

The Minnie Brown Center , 906 Washington Street, Bath

Latkes, candles, games and songs!

Did we miss your Hanukkah event? Email Trevor at tgeiger(at)mainejewish.org and we’ll try to include it.

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2 Comments

  1. Cantor Beth Strassler on December 10, 2019 at 2:07 pm

    Thank you for including Biddeford in your wonderful article! Well done, Trevor.

    Reply

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