JCC hosts Chanukah community event | Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle

JCC hosts Chanukah community event

 

WHITEFISH BAY ­– The Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center is hosting a community-wide Chanukah program Monday, Dec. 11 from 4-6:30 p.m. A tradition for many years, this is a communal celebration of Chanukah.

The celebration’s community partners are Milwaukee Jewish Federation, Milwaukee-area synagogues and Jewish agencies. Anyone can attend (see Coming Events, page 13), even if he or she is not a member of a synagogue.

Light is the theme of the activities. There will be a station to make edible menorahs, activities for children, a magic show put on by the children in a JCC magic class and a dreidel-playing station.

A huge menorah will be filled with candies and miniature toiletries ­– the JCC is asking attendees to bring these items in when they come. These items will later be “given to different social service agencies to help the greater Milwaukee area,” said Rabbi Shari Shamah, JCC Jewish family specialist.

A list Shamah describes as “mitzvah projects” will be handed out to attendees. The list will suggest further opportunities to “share the light” such as, “giving tzedakah like food, clothes, toys and visiting the sick, inviting people to your home, volunteering or helping a neighbor,” Shamah said.

Throughout the year, people can publicize their good deeds with #SharetheLight on various social media outlets.

Into the light of Chanukah, Shamah said the event seeks to be “community building, educational and inspirational.”