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 Dozen Delightful Sufganiyot Spots

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

By Kara Baskin

For JewishBoston

Read / Jew(ish)

Boston’s Top 10 Latkes

From the creative to the classic.

By Kara Baskin

For JewishBoston

CJP President and CEO Rabbi Marc Baker (Photo courtesy of Combined Jewish Philanthropies)

Event / December 25, 4:00 pm

Boston Common Menorah Lighting

Hosted by Chabad of Downtown Boston, Back Bay, Beacon Hill & South End

See more and register

CJP President and CEO Rabbi Marc Baker (Photo courtesy of Combined Jewish Philanthropies)

Event / December 28, 7:00 pm

Lehrhaus Hanukkah Party

Hosted by Lehrhaus

See more and register

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

Read / Tradition

Quick and Easy Guide to Lighting the Menorah

An easy-to-follow, printable reference guide.

By JewishBoston

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.

By Kara Baskin

For JewishBoston

Read / Plus Kids

Aunt Lisl’s Butter Cookies

Bake and decorate these classic buttery cookies—a delicious treat that kids will love helping to create.

By Joan Nathan

For JewishBoston

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.

By Kara Baskin

For JewishBoston

local holiday events

event / December 22, 10:00 am

PJ Library Sensory Chanukah Party

Hosted by JCC Greater Boston

See more and register

event / December 22, 1:00 pm

Pre-Chanukah Kids’ Party

Hosted by Shaloh House Jewish Day School

See more and register

event / December 22, 7:00 pm

NextGen Chanukah Party

Hosted by The Boston Synagogue

event / December 24, 7:30 pm

Hanukkah Happens XXXIV

Hosted by Temple Emanuel of Newton

See more and register

event / December 24, 9:00 pm

MatzoBall Jewish Singles Holiday Party

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event / December 25, 10:30 am

Chanukah on Ice

Hosted by Center for Jewish Life Arlington-Belmont

See more and register

event / December 25, 4:00 pm

Annual First Night of Chanukah Celebration

Hosted by Beth Menachem Chabad

See more and register

event / December 25, 4:00 pm

Boston Common Menorah Lighting

Hosted by Chabad of Downtown Boston, Back Bay, Beacon Hill & South End

See more and register

event / December 25, 5:00 pm

Chanukah Movie Night at Capitol Theatre

Hosted by Center for Jewish Life Arlington-Belmont

See more and register

event / December 26, 3:00 pm

Gelt Drop at the Fire Station

Hosted by Center for Jewish Life Arlington-Belmont

See more and register

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

Read / Plus Kids

Hanukkah Matching Game for Kids

Enhance your family celebration with this downloadable memory game for kids.

By JewishBoston

Christmas ornaments with Chinese food take out

CJP President and CEO Rabbi Marc Baker (Photo courtesy of Combined Jewish Philanthropies)

Event / December 20, 6:30 pm

Jewish Christmas Shabbat Dinner

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

See more and register

Debbie Tea Unsplash Chinese Food Cuisine

CJP President and CEO Rabbi Marc Baker (Photo courtesy of Combined Jewish Philanthropies)

Event / December 22, 6:00 pm

Erev Xmas Eve

Hosted by Trybal Gatherings

See more and register

CJP President and CEO Rabbi Marc Baker (Photo courtesy of Combined Jewish Philanthropies)

Event / December 24, 9:00 pm

MatzoBall Jewish Singles Holiday Party

See more and register

Read / Tradition

Christmas Trees in Jewish Homes: A Brief History

Professor Jonathan Sarna explains the rise, fall and subsequent rise of Christmas trees in Jewish homes.

By Julian Cardillo

For Brandeis University

Louis Armstrong in 1955 (Photo: Herbert Behrens/Anefo)

Read / Jew(ish)

Music for Latkes and Eggnog

A perfect December playlist.

By Joey Baron

Read / Jew(ish)

A Very Merry Jewish Christmas

Chinese food recipes, DIY movie snacks and everything else you need for your most wonderful Christmas yet.

For JewishBoston

Read / Jew(ish)

Eight Babkas to Bake This Christmas

Eggnog, chocolate bread pudding, coconut custard and more!

By JewishBoston

“Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas” (Courtesy 7th Art Releasing)

Read / Jew(ish)

All About Jews Who Write Christmas Carols

Yes, those ubiquitous holiday tunes were actually penned by the Jews.

By Kara Baskin

Read / Jew(ish)

The Five Best Christmas Movies, As Voted by Jews

Christmas movies whose theme or motif is applicable—and important—to all people, whether you celebrate Christmas or not.

By Jesse Ulrich

For JewishBoston

arts & culture events in boston

Kobi Marimi (Photo: Martin Fjellanger/Eurovision Norway/EuroVisionary)

event / October 28, 7:30 pm

Israeli Songs on the World Stage: Eurovision Contenders

Hosted by Temple Beth Zion

See more and register

event / December 24, 7:30 pm

Hanukkah Happens XXXIV

Hosted by Temple Emanuel of Newton

See more and register

event / January 2, 7:00 pm

Standup Comedy Show: L’Chaim Laugh Fest

See more and register

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

event / December 8, 10:00 am

Kids Open Play at Schechter

Hosted by Schechter Boston

See more and register

event / January 5, 4:00 pm

Annual Artistic Hanukkah Festival

Hosted by Center Makor

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

See more and register

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

See more and register

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

event / January 12, 10:00 am

Art With Rashi

Hosted by The Rashi School

See more and register

event / January 12, 1:00 pm

ChicShuk

Hosted by Congregation Shirat Hayam of the North Shore

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” tells the story of Lázsló Tóth, a Holocaust survivor and architect, as he rebuilds his life and legacy in post-war America.

By Judy Bolton-Fasman

For JewishBoston

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

<img src="https://cdn.jewishboston.com/salamandra/images/Hanukkah.svg" alt="Hanukkah" width="69" height="57">

Hanukkah: light up the night

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