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December 17, 2005
Hanukkah (or Chanukah, you be the judge) Happenings
A run-down of some of Washington's best Hanukkah happenings for families with young children:
The National Menorah Lighting takes place on December 25 at 4 p.m. at the Ellipse near the White House, 1600 Constitution Ave. NW. Celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah with speeches, music, activities for kids, and the lighting of the National Menorah by Rabbi Levi Shemtov. This event is FREE, but tickets are required. For info, call 202.332.5600.
TOMORROW night, December 18, The Kennedy Center presents a FREE concert of Hanukkah music. It kicks off at 6 p.m. on the Millennium Stage. For info, call 202.467.4600.
Also TOMORROW the 18th, visit the "Chanukah Festival: Hands-On Chanukah" from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Rd., in Rockville, MD. There will be activities and crafts, a puppet show, treasure hunt, latkes, lemonade, and pizza. For more info, call 301.881.0100.
Also starting TOMORROW.... A two-week-long "Chanukah Wonderland" event for children and families run the 18th through the 29th, in Tysons Corner (Vienna, VA). Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. all days except Fridays, when hours are 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Admission is FREE and open to the public.
Each day has its own special events, as well as ongoing exhibits with activities for kids of all ages, a Kosher cafe, and a gift store. The event is sponsored by the Chabad Jewish Center - Tysons Corner, Chabad of Northern Virginia, and Chabad of Alexandria. Location is 2095 Chain Bridge Rd. (Rt. 123), just south of Old Courthouse Rd. For the event hotline, call 703.356.3451, or click here for the complete schedule in PDF format. Also check out the Chabad @ Tysons website. For photos from last year's event, click here.
On December 25, the DC Jewish Community Center (DCJCC) will host a Community Service Day, and they've issued a call for volunteer families and individuals! They need volunteers for painting projects to help restore schools, hospitals, and homeless shelters in DC; to visit seniors and children at senior homes and hospitals; to prepare food for feeding the hungry; to give blood at the blood drive; and to plan and host a party at a local homeless shelter. They also need help between now and the 24th with baking chocolate chip cookies and wrapping over 5,000 donated holiday gifts! You can also help make cards for veterans at Walter Reed Medical Center, donate canned goods and gently used clothing, and more more more. A great way to celebrate the start of Hanukkah with your children, by giving back to the community at large! For more info on volunteering, click here.
On December 27, Bethesda's "Festival of Lights" features a menorah lighting and Hanukkah sing-along from 7 to 9 p.m. at 3 Bethesda Metro Center. For more info, call 301.652.4988.
Posted by Sarah at December 17, 2005 6:20 PM.
