Hanukkah Happenings across York Region

Thestar.com
Nov. 29, 2021
Simone Joseph

On this, the first night of Hanukkah, we are providing eight events for this eight-day Jewish holiday. Hanukkah 2021 begins Sunday, Nov. 28 at night and ends in the evening of Monday, Dec. 6.

Sunday, Nov. 28

1) Outdoor Chanukah Celebration, Keswick

Location: Keswick Kids Dental, 2-24398 Woodbine Ave., Keswick.

Features: Celebrate Hanukkah at the annual Georgina menorah lighting at 5 p.m. Includes: Lighting of a grand LED Menorah, LED Hanukkah gifts for children, individually packed doughnuts and latkes. Georgina Hebrew School performance, live festive music, local dignitaries in attendance. Free and open to the entire community.

For more info: https://www.experienceyorkregion.com/york-region-communities-celebrating-chanukah/

2) Grand Car Menorah Parade And Drive-In Chanukah Celebration 2021, Maple

Location: Send off from Chabad of Maple 9960 Dufferin St. -- Highland Farms Plaza at 4:15 p.m.

Features: Drive around the neighbourhood in a procession of menorah-topped cars, sharing the light of Hanukkah in a display of Jewish Pride. Parade will be followed by a Drive In; Menorah lighting and fire show at 5:30 p.m. in the Kimmel parking lot at the Lebovic JCC in the presence of dignitaries and community leaders.

For more info: https://www.chabadmaple.com/

Monday, Nov. 29

3) City of Vaughan Virtual Menorah Lighting

Features: Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and members of council invite you to the City of Vaughan Virtual Menorah Lighting in celebration of Chanukah. Lighting is 4-5 p.m. and is free.

For more info: Visit https://www.vaughan.ca/events/festive_celebrations/Pages/default.aspx for details.

Wednesday, Dec. 1

4) Disco and Donut Fry-Off

Features: This event is presented by the Russian Jewish Community Centre.

Location: West Thornhill at 7608 Yonge St., Unit 3 at 6 p.m.

For more info: https://www.jrcc.org

Wednesday, Dec. 1.

5) Aurora's fifth annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony followed by a fire juggling show

Features: Everyone is invited. The town and Chabad Aurora are hosting the event. The celebration begins with the lighting of the menorah, immediately followed by a fire juggling show. The festivities continue with samples of traditional celebratory foods.

Location: in the front courtyard of the town hall at 100 John West Way from 6 to 8 p.m.

For more info: Visit https://www.aurora.ca/en/recreation-arts-and-culture/menorah-lighting-ceremony.aspx. (Taken from: https://www.experienceyorkregion.com/york-region-communities-celebrating-chanukah/)

6) JFest: An Arts Festival for the JCC Movement (virtual event provided by the JCC to celebrate Hanukkah)

Features: Eight female international Jewish artists, including singer Tair Haim of A-Wa, Italian chef Silvia Nacamulli, and dancer Rachel Linsky, share their creations inspired by Hanukkah menorahs in the MFA Judaica collection. An evening of performance, learning, and artistic engagement for all ages. Join JCC Association with their partners at JArts and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to celebrate Hanukkah. Programs and events for JFest: An Arts Festival for the JCC Movement are made possible through funds granted by The Covenant Foundation, with support from The Pertzik Fund for Arts and Culture.

For more info: https://virtualjcc.com/watch/chanukah-festival-lights-jfest

Saturday, Dec. 4

7) Interactive Game Chanukah Cafe at JRCC East

Features: Join this community's Hanukkah celebration. Menorah lighting, dairy dinner, latkes and doughnuts, mingling with friends.

Cost:$20/person by Nov. 30; $30/person after Nov. 30;$40/person at the door

Location: 7608 Yonge St.
*For more info: RSVP: www.JrccEastThornhill.org/ChanukahCafe

Sunday, Dec. 5

8) Donut Fry-Off

Features: A Jewish Russian Community Centre event for children where they can make doughnuts from scratch. $10/child. Rsvp by Dec. 1. Event is 11:30-12:30.

Location: 9699 Bathurst St., Richmond Hill

 For more info: www.JrccEastThornhill.org/