The first night of Hanukkah this year falls the day before Thanksgiving, and there will be plenty of public menorah lightings in the Bay Area to be thankful for.
In Santa Cruz, the Roaring Camp Railroad’s new “Chanukah Train” will be adorned with thousands of lights and decorations for the fifth night of Hanukkah. Following a lighting of the menorah by Chabad by the Sea, the train and its vintage excursion cars will depart from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk at 5 p.m.
There will be a number of traditional lightings, as well, such as the 39th annual nightly lighting of the Bill Graham menorah in San Francisco’s Union Square. But it won’t be entirely traditional: On the seventh night, the star of the show will be a menorah-lighting robot (see page 38).
Some other unique aspects to look for in the listings below include a 3-D dreidel printing station in Sunnyvale, a bicycle menorah parade, the construction of a Lego menorah in Redwood City, a lighting in Santa Rosa that includes a bike stunt show, and a lighting in San Francisco at the famed corner of Haight and Ashbury streets.
All of these events focus on lighting the menorah, and they are free unless otherwise indicated.
East Bay
Nov. 22. Bring your own menorah, candles and matches for Temple Sinai’s “100 Menorahs Community Hanukkah Celebration.” Commemorating the sanctuary’s centennial. Free Chanukah nibbles; charge for dinner. At Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland. 5:30 lighting; 6:30 dinner. www.oaklandsinai.org.
Nov. 27–Dec. 3. Contra Costa County community lightings. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 27 at Whole Foods Market, 100 Sunset Dr., San Ramon; 4-6 p.m. Dec. 1 at Broadway Plaza, 1275 Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek, featuring a fire juggler; and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at Whole Foods Market, 3502 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, 7:30 p.m. www.jewishcontracosta.com.
Nov. 29. Beyt Tikkun community menorah lighting, with Rabbi Michael Lerner and live music by Achi Ben Shalom. Including a Shabbat service and vegetarian potluck. At Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1606 Bonita Ave., Berkeley. 5:30 p.m. [email protected].
Nov. 30. Community lighting. With Nigunim Chorus and five other musicians. Dancing and Hanukkah foods for purchase. Advance tickets recommended. At JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. $15; children free. www.jcceastbay.org.
Nov. 30, Dec. 2. Chabad of the Tri-Valley will have a pair of lightings. The first, at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30, will feature Livermore’s mayor and other dignitaries in an event at 2400 First St., Livermore. There will be latkes, doughnuts and live music. At 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2, the ninth annual “Chanukah Wonderland” takes place at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Stoneridge Shopping Center in Pleasanton. In addition to a lighting, there will be live music, crafts and games. www.jewishtrivalley.com.
Dec. 1. Congregation Beth El is hosting a lighting and Hanukkah party for community members with special needs and their families. Includes food, crafts and live music. 4 p.m. at 1301 Oxford St., Berkeley. RSVP to [email protected].
Dec. 4. “Chanukah on Ice” at the Walnut Creek Civic Park Ice Rink. With a lighting, Jewish music and crafts for kids. Skating tickets available, with discounts if purchased in advance. At 1365 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. 7 to 9 p.m. $15-$18. www.jewishcontracosta.com.
San Francisco and Peninsula
Nov. 27. Chabad of Cole Valley is holding a three-mile bicycle menorah parade. Participants will affix cardboard or plastic menorahs with LED lights to their bikes. Meets at Stanyan and Waller streets, near Kezar Pavilion, at 5:30 p.m. Concludes there at 6:30 p.m. with a lighting and doughnuts. www.chabadcv.org.
Nov. 27–Dec. 4. Andy David, Israeli consul general to the Pacific Northwest, will participate in lighting the Bill Graham menorah at Union Square on the first night. With food, music, kids activities. Ceremony at 4 p.m., lighting at 5 p.m. Other lightings are also at 5 p.m., except on Shabbat, when the lightings will be 3:30 p.m. on Friday and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. www.billgrahammenorah.com.
Nov. 27–Dec. 4. The JCC of San Francisco will kick off its Hanukkah festivities with a lighting at 4:30 p.m. on the first night. The lightings will continue for each night of the holiday (except Nov. 28 and Nov. 30). Related activities include a family Hanukkah celebration on Dec. 1 that will include dinner, two musical acts and dancing, all in the glow of the JCC’s giant menorah. $18-$25, $5 for kids. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. www.jccsf.org.
Nov. 28, Dec. 2-3. Chabad of Cole Valley will be having a 5:30 p.m. Nov. 28 lighting on the corner of Haight and Ashbury streets in San Francisco. Other lightings will also be held, each featuring live music and doughnuts: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at Ninth and Irving streets; 5:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at Grattan Playground (Stanyan and Alma streets) with a juggler and arts and crafts. www.chabadcv.org.
Dec. 2. The 12th annual Burlingame lighting will include a fire juggler, live music and latkes starting at 6 p.m. At 240 Park Road, Burlingame.www.chabadnp.com.
Dec. 3. Chabad MidPen is looking for kids and others to participate in the building of a giant Lego menorah in Courthouse Square in Redwood City. The construction will begin at 5:15 p.m., followed by a lighting, music, food and local dignitaries. At 2200 Broadway St., Redwood City. www.chabadmidpen.com.
Dec. 4. The Bill Graham Menorah Project is hosting an eighth-night lighting at Westfield San Francisco Centre. On the fourth floor under the dome at 6 p.m. Arts and crafts, dreidels, music and treats. For first seven days, menorah will be at the Market Street entrance near Juicy Couture. www.billgrahammenorah.com.
North Bay
Nov. 27. The Jewish rock band 8th Day will perform as part of the Jelly Belly factory’s fourth annual menorah lighting. A giant Jelly Belly–filled menorah will be lit at 4:30 p.m., followed by the concert at 5:30 p.m. Free admission for all the festivities, beginning with “Hanukkah Wonderland” (demonstrations and free activities for kids) at 3 p.m. At 1 Jelly Belly Lane, Fairfield. www.jewishsolano.com.
Nov. 27–Dec. 4. Chabad of Sonoma County is hosting five lightings around the county. Each will feature live music, latkes and prizes, and the first night will include a bike stunt show. All start at 5 p.m., except on the first night, which begins at 4 p.m. Here’s the rundown: Nov. 27 at Montgomery Village, 911 Village Court, Santa Rosa; Dec. 1 at Oakville Grocery, 124 Matheson St., Healdsburg; Dec. 2 at Whole Foods Market, 201 West Napa St., Sonoma; Dec. 3 at Oliver’s Market, 546 East Cotati Ave., Cotati; Dec. 4 at Pacific Market, 550 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol. www.jewishsonoma.com.
Dec. 1. Chabad of Solano County’s fifth annual “Menorah on Main” lighting. With greetings from the mayor, arts and crafts, latkes and music. At Town Square, downtown Vacaville, 4:30 p.m. www.jewishsolano.com.
Dec. 3. Chabad of Napa Valley is hosting its eighth annual lighting. Featuring live music from songwriter-rapper Ari Lesser. At Napa Town Center, near McCaulou’s department store, 5 p.m. www.jewishnapavalley.com.
Dec. 4. Chabad of Novato’s lighting features music, latkes, a raffle and a juggling show. At Whole Foods Market, 790 De Long Ave., Novato. 5 p.m. www.jewishnovato.com.
South Bay
Nov. 29. Congregation Etz Chayim is hosting a “Flametacular” lighting using multiple menorahs. A catered community Shabbat dinner will precede the lighting, and a party featuring live music and games for children will come after. At Congregation Etz Chayim, 4161 Alma St., Palo Alto. 6 p.m. dinner, $10-$18; lighting ceremony 7:15 p.m.; party 8:15 p.m. www.etzchayim.org.
Dec. 1. Chabad of Sunnyvale’s menorah lighting features a 3-D dreidel printing station, a sing-along, an olive-oil pressing demonstration and chocolate gelt. At Mountain View Civic Center Plaza, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. 4 p.m. www.chabadsunnyvale.com.
Dec. 1. Gather at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (on Beach Street near guest services) for the lighting of a menorah followed by a train ride through the streets of the city. Roaring Camp Railroad’s “Chanukah Train” will be adorned with lights and decorations. Activities aboard the train include eating Play dreidel and enjoy food aboard the train. Activity also includes your choice of miniature golf, laser tag or arcade games. At 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz. Train departs at 5 p.m. $22-$28. Discount code available at www.chabadbythesea.com.
Dec. 2. The Jewish Chaplaincy at Stanford University Medical Center will hold daily menorah lightings at 4 p.m. in the hospital’s atrium. A special celebration with songs, food and reflections about what it means to be in the hospital during Hanukkah will be held at 4 p.m. Dec. 2. At 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford. 4 p.m. (650) 723-3808.
Dec. 4. Multiple South Bay Jewish organizations will come together for a Hanukkah celebration at Santana Row in San Jose. Includes dreidel decorating, food, and Jewish story time. Co-hosted by the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley and PJ Library. Runs from 4 to 6 p.m. At Santana Row, San Jose, in the park in front of Maggiano’s restaurant. www.santanarow.com. n