Where to celebrate Hanukkah, see menorah lightings in North Texas
Editor’s note: The above video is from 2022.
Dust off your menorahs and get your oil ready for frying– Hanukkah is almost here.
Hanukkah always begins on the eve of the 25th day of Kislev, which is the ninth month in the Jewish calendar. This year, Hanukkah will begin on Sunday, Dec. 14 and end on Monday, Dec. 22.
The commandment, or mitzvah, of Hanukkah is to light the menorah with family or friends at home. But many other traditions like playing the dreidel game, listening or singing to Hanukkah music or cooking latkes and sufganiyot (jelly donuts) are also ways people love to celebrate.
Dallas-Fort Worth has several events for Hanukkah. So grab your family and friends and join in on the holiday fun with these celebrations.
What is the story of Hanukkah?
The eight-day celebration honors the rededication of the Second Holy Temple.
In the second century B.C., Judah the Macabee and an army of Jews fought the Seleucid Greeks, who banned Jewish practices in Jerusalem. Though the Macabee army was much smaller and weaker than the Greeks, they prevailed and reclaimed the Holy Land and the Holy Temple.
After the war, the Maccabees went to relight the menorah and they only found one jar of olive oil untouched by the Greeks. This oil relit the menorah, and the oil, that was only enough for one day, lasted for eight days, which is why Hanukkah is an eight day celebration.
A menorah has nine candles– eight for each night of Hanukkah and one shamash candle to light the others. On the first day, one candle is lit and this continues all eight days until all eight candles are lit. Blessings are said before the candle is lit and songs are sung after. It is traditional to place the menorah in a doorway or window.
Hanukkah celebrations in DFW
Beth-El Congregation Tot Shabbat
- 4900 Briarhaven Road, Fort Worth
- Dec. 19, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
- Shabbat and Hanukkah celebration with music, dancing, stories, and art. For families with children up to 6 years old.
Beth-El Congregation Hanukkah Dinner
- 4900 Briarhaven Road, Fort Worth
- Dec. 19, after the 6:15 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat service.
- Feast on chicken, salad, latkes and sufganiyots.
- Register online here.
Beth-El Men also make holiday latkes to order ($10 per dozen, or 3 dozen for $25). Must order before Dec. 11 to pick up on Dec. 14 between 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Order here.
Chanukah At Southlake Town Square
- 285 Grand Ave., Southlake.
- Dec. 14 at 5:30 p.m.
- Ice skating, giant menorah lighting, gelt (chocolate coins) firetruck drop, music and crafts.
Galleria Hanukkah Menorah Lighting
- 13350 Dallas Parkway, Dallas. In front of the Zara store on level one.
- Dec. 14 at 5 p.m.
- Lighting of the menorah, sufganiyots, music and remarks by Rabbi Andrew Paley from Temple Shalom.
JCC Festival Of Laser Light
- Aaron Family Jewish Community Center: 7900 Northaven Road, Dallas.
- Dec. 14 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
- Laser projections, music and learning.
- Register online. $5 for kids, $18 for adults.