Our Chanukah Guide for East Bay kids is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of the East Bay.
Happy Chanukah from Sprout: Helping Jewish Families Grow Together! Sprout is the Jewish Federation of the East Bay’s education initiative. Chanukah is a time for family, friends, joy, and of course, light. We are sharing this list of events taking place in the East Bay and hope your family enjoys eight days of celebrating miracles and connecting to one another.
The Meshuganutcraker (The Nuttiest Nutcracker Ever) has ongoing performances in San Francisco. More details >
Piedmont Recreation Department’s Dreidels and Donuts 2014: A late morning breakfast filled with yummy treats, crafts and dreidel play with friends and family. Saturday, December 13th, 2014 from 11:30am-12:30pm at Piedmont Community Hall, 711 Highland Avenue, in Piedmont. Fee: $10.00 per person (includes breakfast & activities, children under 2 are free) This is a family event for all ages. Parents are required to stay with children.
Kids Night Out (Hanukkah edition) at Color Me Mine of Alameda on Saturday 12/13/2014 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Drop kids off for painting and fun for $25/kid, $20 for sibs. RSVP at ALAMEDA@colormemine.com or call 510-521-8893
Temple Beth Torah Chanukah Celebration Event from 10:00am to 1:00pm at 42000 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont, CA on Sunday, December 14 510.656.7141. More details >
Hanukkah: Beeswax Candle-making and Fire-building at Urban Adamah1050 Parker St. Berkeley, CA 94710 510 649-1595 on Sunday, December 14, 2014 from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Come explore the power of light—learn how bees help give us light, make rolled beeswax candles, learn the ancient skill of fire-making, and share stories about light from Jewish tradition. For parents and children ages 5 and up. Advance Registration Required. $8 for each individual, or $20 for a family of 3 or more.
Community Gathering at JCC Berkeley Branch from 3-6 pm on Sunday, December 14. A community celebration for the whole family featuring music by Isaac Zones, group candle-lighting, storytelling, menorah-making and other arts and crafts projects – plus latkes! Fair Trade Judaica will offer holiday items for sale. More details >
The Almost-Chanukah Fair at Nevitot Shalom in Berkeley offers a jumpy house, make-your-own-candles, storytelling and other kid-friendly distractions during this bazaar on Sunday the 14th from 11 to 2. More details >
Temple Beth Hillel Annual Latke Party invites you to celebrate the Festival of Lights on Sunday, December 14, 2014 at 801 Park Central, Richmond, CA 94803. Display and sale of beautifully designed work from TBH Craftspeople and local Artisans, celebratory candle lighting , traditional latke lunch with all the trimmings, children’s activities, Hanukkah treasures from the Gift Shop
Community Menorah Lighting at the Lake Merritt Amphitheater. Chabad of Oakland & Piedmont presents the 9th Annual Community Menorah Lighting on The First Night of Chanukah. Tuesday, December 16 @ 6pm. Enjoy *Donuts *Hot Latkes *Music *Chocolate Gelt *Hot Drinks *Free Menorahs & Dreidels. This is a free event.
Kee Tov and Beth El Latkefest and Shabbat. A blowout Chanukah and Shabbat Celebration on Friday December 19. CKT families: Miss your favorite counselors? Haven’t felt that ruach since the summer? The evening begins with latkes flipped and fried by Beth El’s Men’s Club and served with a light dinner. Next, choose either a rockin’ CKT Reunion Shabbat service led by Rabbi Stern and Eric Schoen, or our Yismechu Chanting Service led by Rabbi Kahn and Miriam Schwartz. Candle lighting: please bring your chanukiyah and candles! Top it all off with a ruach-filled Oneg and adults-only storytelling hour (like the Moth Radio Hour on NPR). Latkefest and Dinner in the Social Hall at 5:30 pm; CKT Reunion Shabbat in the Sanctuary at 6:15 pm
Hanukkah Story Time at Barnes and Noble on Saturday, December 20 at 3 pm. More details >
Hanukkah Community Chorus Concert at the JCC in Berkeley at 7 pm on Saturday the 20th presents a variety of musical performances. More details >
Chanukah Concert with Octopretzel at Afikomen Store in Berkeley Sunday, December 21 at 11 am
Northern California Chanukah Festival (First Annual!) at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo on December 21. More details>
Sprout supports families in celebrating and connecting all year round. We offer two free programs for Jewish families in the East Bay: PJ Library and the Youth and Family Concierge.
PJ Library provides free, developmentally appropriate, Jewish books and music to children from six months to seven years of age. For more information or to sign up please click here.
The Youth and Family Concierge is available to help families with preschool through high school aged children explore Jewish life in the East Bay. Whether you are interested in learning about early childhood programs, religious school, teen engagement, or summer camp, or simply connecting with other Jewish families with similar interests we are eager to help. Email the concierge at concierge@jfed.org. You can learn more about all of our programs on our website: jfed.org/sprout
We are also pleased to share these great resources to help your family celebrate Chanukah from our partners at Jewish Learning Works: Jewish Learning Works Chanukah resources