Safe menorah lightings around the Bay to brighten your Hanukkah holiday

HANUKKAH FOOD & GIFTS

Safe menorah lightings around the Bay to brighten your Hanukkah holidays

A drive-through Hanukkah wonderland. Individually wrapped latkes. Socially distanced public menorah lightings. Yes, local Jewish organizations have had to take some precautions this year to ensure safe community gatherings for the Festival of Lights.

But nothing will stop the annual lighting of the menorahs.

Most events in these listings are outdoors and in-person, unless otherwise noted, and include some sort of menorah lighting. All are free unless noted. Information about Hanukkah parties and events (aside from menorah lightings) can be found in our regular events calendar.

The first night of Hanukkah this year is after sundown on Dec. 10, and the eighth night will be on Dec. 17. Please, enjoy! —R.D. Landau

SAN FRANCISCO

Bill Graham Menorah Project. On the 45th anniversary of the first Union Square lighting in 1975, the giant, 25-foot-tall menorah will be aglow every night of Hanukkah, and the public is invited to participate virtually each evening. The lightings will be from 5 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 10, 12 and 14-17; from 3 to 4 p.m. Dec. 11 (Shabbat) and 3 to 6 p.m. Dec. 13 for Bill Graham Menorah Day. Zoom livestreaming nightly. tinyurl.com/y26jauh4.

Ghirardelli Square Hanukkah Glow and Go. Presented by the JCC of San Francisco, this event will feature a giant menorah, music coming from an LED grand piano, free party kits for pickup (advance registration required), and fried foods for take-home or outdoor dining. 3-6 p.m. Dec. 12. At Ghirardelli Square. Advance registration requested. tinyurl.com/Ghirardellilighting.

Healing Light of Hanukkah. In this virtual event, S.F.-based Jewish Family and Children’s Services invites the community to “explore how the light of Hanukkah brightens up even the darkest of times.” There will be stories, teachings, songs, humor and a ritual lighting — all on Zoom. 2-3 p.m. Dec. 16. hanukkah.eventbrite.com.

EAST BAY

Hanukkah On the Lake. Chabad of Oakland’s 14th annual crowd-pleaser will include a fire show, latkes, sufganiyot, gelt, games and a menorah lighting. 4:30 p.m. Dec. 10. At Lake Merritt Amphitheater, Lake Merritt Boulevard between 12th Street and 1st Avenue, Oakland. Registration requested. jewishoakland.org.

Celebration for Young Children. A virtual Hanukkah party aimed at kids ages 1 to 5, this event is organized by Jewish Gateways, an open community that promotes Jewish exploration and connection. No Jewish knowledge or experience necessary. There will be a menorah lighting, singing, dancing, storytelling and an art project (supplies available for pickup at several East Bay locations). 10-11 a.m. Dec. 13. $20 per family. Advance registration requested. tinyurl.com/gateway-light.

Lighting and Concert. Chabad of Fremont’s seventh annual giant-menorah lighting will feature a drive-in concert with rock band Moshav, plus jelly doughnuts and other Hanukkah treats. 5:30 p.m. Dec. 14. At Chabad of Fremont, 220 Yerba Buena Place, Fremont. Limited space, registration requested. chabadfremont.com. NORTH BAY

Montgomery Village. Chabad of Sonoma County presents singer-songwriter Achi Ben Shalom playing music for all ages, with a large menorah lighting and individually wrapped Hanukkah treats. 4 p.m. Dec. 13. At Montgomery Village, 911 Village Court, Santa Rosa. tinyurl.com/ chabad-sonoma.

Hanukkah Drive-Through Experience. Drive through Chabad of Petaluma’s “marvelous Hanukkah wonderland” and see a 9-foot menorah, a dancing dreidel, magic, fire-juggling, a balloon artist and circus entertainers. Plus individually wrapped latkes, doughnuts and gelt. Open 4:30 to 6 p.m. Dec. 13, last entry at 5:30 p.m. Free with RSVP. At Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, 175 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma. tinyurl.com/chabad-petaluma.

Drive-In Menorah Lighting. Chabad of Novato presents a menorah lighting you can enjoy from your car. Featuring music, latkes, doughnuts and a video. 4 p.m. Dec. 13. At Hamilton Community Center parking lot, 503 Palm Drive, Novato. tinyurl.com/novato-lit.

Outdoor or virtual menorah lightings are favored this year. Left, Union Square lightings in happier times. (Photos/ Natalie Schrik) Above, a Hanukkiah. (Wikimedia Commons)

PENINSULA & SOUTH BAY

Drive-In Hanukkah. Chabad of North Peninsula is presenting a fifth-night gala with live music by Saul Kaye, a juggling and light show, a dreidel mascot, jelly doughnuts and two menorah lightings. 5-5:45 p.m. and 6:45-7:30 p.m. Dec. 14. Location given with required RSVP. tinyurl.com/ chabad-np.

IllumiNation: National Virtual Hanukkah Celebra-

tion. Congregation Kol Emeth in Palo Alto has organized this online event and invited Conservative synagogues across the nation to “make the eighth night bright.” In addition to a menorah lighting, local singer-songwriter Neshama Carlebach will perform and author A.J. Jacobs (“The Year of Living Biblically”) will speak. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 17. Zoom registration required. tinyurl.com/kol-light.

Do you know of a community menorah lighting event not listed here? Send your event information to events@ jweekly.com to be included in our Dec. 11 issue. n