Chanukah, Oh Chanukah!

Don’t be misled by the summer temperatures—Chanukah begins this week! Although our friends in the southern hemisphere are accustomed to celebrating Chanukah in the summer, here in Israel (and back in the United States and Canada) we are used to warming ourselves up by the burning Chanukah lights and sizzling potato latkes and covering up the additional kilos from those jelly filled sufganiyot by putting on a sweater or two!

The first night of Chanukah begins on the eve of the 25th of Kislev which corresponds to Wednesday, December 1st this year. The lights of the chanukiya remind us of miracles, both old and new. As new and veteran olim, we experience the miracle of living in Israel today and being granted the opportunity to shape the character of our Jewish State.  Although each of us may only be one small light, working together we shine brighter and can make a difference.

And who knows? Maybe there will be another  Chanukah miracle and rain will begin to fall. Rain or shine, AACI has a host of activities planned around the country to brighten your holiday and to keep the children on school vacation happy. We wish you a Chanukah filled with light and joy! Chag Urim Sameach!

Jerusalem

All activities take place at AACI – Dr. Max & Gianna Glassman Family Center, 37 Pierre Koenig / 2 Poalei Zedek, Talpiot, Jerusalem (except for the photography walks)

For children

Story Time with Mimi

Tuesday, November 30th, 4:15 -5:30 PM

Ages 4 and up

Pre-registration required – call 02-566-1181

Cost:   AACI members NIS 20/non-members NIS 30

Chanukah Magic Show

Sunday Dec. 5th, 2:00 – 3:00 pm

With the Master Magician The “Great Shmoolonzo”

A spectacular presentation of Illusion with fire effects in honor of Chanukah

Cost for adults and children: AACI members NIS 25 / non-members NIS 30

For adults

Chanukah Celebration

Thursday, Dec 2nd

6:30 – 8:00 pm – Reception, buffet dinner and live musical entertainment

8:00 – 9:00 pm – Rabbi Chaim Brovender, continuing the series of Great Jewish Thinkers presents Rabbi Nachman of Breslav – Chanukah Lights

co-sponsored by AACI and WebYeshiva.org

Cost: AACI members and WebYeshiva.org members NIS 30/non-members NIS 40

To RSVP: Call 02 5671719 ext 0, or email chanuka@WebYeshiva.org

New Art Exhibition

Visit the Quiltworks by Maxine Forman and

Fine Crafts from Kibbutz Neot Semadar

at AACI.

Bring Light and Color to your holiday.The exhibit runs from Nov. 24 through Jan. 6. There will be a gallery talk on Dec. 20 at 6 pm.

Chanukah Photography Walks

Dec. 7:   Old city, meet at 4- 4:15 at Zion Gate.

Dec. 8:   Sha’are Hessed, meet at the corner of Ussishkin and Keren Kayemet  at 4 – 4:15 pm.

Cost: AACI members NIS 35/non-members NIS 45

Each walk will be about an hour and a half.  Call Douglas at 052-2679-327 to pre-register. Participants should dress warm and if there is a chance of rain, phone ahead of time to confirm.

55+ / – Singles

Chanukah Party

Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 6:30 pm

with music, dancing and socializing. Latkes, Israeli salad and sufganiyot will be provided by the Jerusalem Culinary Institute

Cost: AACI members NIS 45 / non-members NIS 55

Please pre-register – call 02-566-1181

Netanya

Beit Oleh America Netanya AACI, 28  Shmuel  Hanatziv, Netanya, 42281

Tel: 09 833 0950 email: info@netanyaaaci.org.il

“Menorahs, Dreidels & Oil”

Wednesday, December 1st

A full day Chanukah tiyul guided by Adi Zarchior

The day includes a hike on Tel Yodfat, where Josephus, a general at the time of the Great Revolt of the Jews against Rome, was captured. Meet with artists and see hand-crafted chanukiot, dreidels and other art connected with Chanukah, visit an oil press and learn about the manufacture of olive oil through the ages and its many uses today, and visit a Beeswax workshop to make your own beeswax candle.

Cost: NIS 203    Optional Kosher lunch at Druze restaurant: NIS 55
For details and registration, call 09 833 0950

The Pzazz Jazz Chanukah Concert

Sunday, December 5 at 8.00pm.

The PJ Jazz Ensemble will treat you to an exciting Chanukah concert with the best of Dixieland, swing, jazz and blues. Joining the Band will be renowned jazz saxophonist Jacques Sany and Dixieland trombonist Amnon Ben Artzi.

Tickets: Members NIS 70  Non-members and at door NIS 80.

Price includes coffee and donuts.

Call 09 833 0950 for more information.

“The Life and Times of Bar Kochba”

Sunday, December 5 at 10.30am

Lecture by Marjorie Glick

What do we know about Shimon Bar Kochba, leader of the last attempt to regain independence for a Jewish nation, a State of Israel, until our very own time?  Come find out!  Call 09 833 0950 for more information

Creative Photography Workshop for Youth

(12-16 years old)

Wednesday, Dec. 8 from 9.30am-2.30pm.

will be taught by Tom Langford, a professional photographer, digital retoucher and website designer. Call 09 833 0950 for more information

Central

76 Ibn Gvirol Street
Tel Aviv (1st Floor)

Tel: 03-6960389

E-mail: jsinai@aaci.org.il

Four Chanukah Drama Workshops for the Family

December 3-9

led by Meirav Zur, a professional actress

Workshops include:
1) We’re Such a Drama Queen & Princess: A Workshop for the Bat-Mitzva’s & their Moms!

2) So Glad We’re Related:  Parent-Child Workshop for a mom/dad & their 3rd– 5th-Grader.

3) So Glad We’re Related:  Parent-Child Workshop for a mom/dad & their 7th-9th-Grader.  (English)

4) It’s All Relative:  Family-Duo Workshop for ADULTS only!  Pairs of Adult Parent-Adult Child, Sibling-Sibling, Couples, or Cousins. (English)

For more information click here

“BETTER PLACE”

Tour of the Groundbreaking Electric Car Center

Thursday, December 9th at 11.30am

Chanukah Tiyul – Bring your driver’s license and test-drive an electric car.

(tour with English guide lasts 1 ½ hours)

Cost: AACI members NIS 15  / non-members NIS 20  (not suitable for children under eight)

For more details or to register

(pre-registration required!)  Call 03 – 696 0389

South

Community Center in Beer Sheva
Matnas “Yud Aleph”
11 Mordehai Namir St.
Shchunat Yud Aleph, Beer Sheva
Tel: 08-643-3953

mgreen@aaci.org.il

A combined Thanksgiving and Chanukah celebration took place last week and was enjoyed by all the participants!

Happy Chanukah!

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