Celebrations of Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, offer the public a variety of ways to cast aside darkness in northwest Vermont.
Keep an eye out for pop-up menorahs, car parades and the kinetic antics of LED-studded robots.
The festival begins Nov. 28. and on subsequent days more lights are added to displays.
Illuminations culminate Dec. 8 with a remembrance of the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem some 22 centuries ago.
Religious communities in the area observe Hanukkah in different ways, but in general, the emphasis is on fun, gift-giving, community warmth and splendid food.
Public menorah lighting events sponsored by Chabad of Burlington will kick off at 5 p.m. at the University of Vermont Green on Nov. 28.
Subsequent Hanukkah happenings:
Nov. 29 — 5 p.m. menorah lighting with Chabad, Jericho Town Circle.
Nov. 30 — 4:45 p.m. menorah lighting at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, 188 N. Prospect St., Burlington.
Nov. 30 — 5 p.m. menorah lighting with Chabad, Shelburne Town Green.
Dec. 1 — 5 p.m. menorah lighting with Chabad, Taylor Park, St. Albans.
Dec. 2 — 5 p.m. menorah lighting with Chabad, State House, Montpelier.
Dec. 3 — 4:45 p.m. a musical, “Hannukah Tot Shabbat;” and at 6 p.m., a Kabbalat Shabbat, with the OZ musicians playing instrumental music — both at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue.
Dec. 4 — Gala Family Hanukkah Party, 4 – 5:30 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 500 Swift St., South Burlington. Presentation by school students; singing, dancing, skits — followed by a menorah lighting and hot chocolate and doughnuts outside by a fire.
Dec. 5
- 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Channukah Party – songs, dreidle tournament, doughnuts and a raffle, all at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue.
- 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. — Play performance, in collaboration with Temple Sinai.
- 4 p.m. — Parade of menorah-decked cars begins 4 p.m. on Dec. 25, leaving from Chabad of Burlington, 57 South Williams Street in Burlington. Contact Chabad for parade route and fees to participate.
- 4 p.m. — LED robot show — same time and location as car-parade send-off.
Throughout the week, the folks at Ohavi Zedek invite the public to stream Hanukkah-themed films via an online festival, and then swap critiques with the congregation’s OZ Family Facebook group.
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Contact reporter Joel Banner Baird at joelbaird@freepressmedia.com.
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