Eight Crazy Nights: Chanukah 2020

Get ready to celebrate the Festival of Lights with eight nights of fun, eight nights of celebration and eight nights of craziness!

From online latke cooking to Zoom bingo nights to Torah studies, we’re adapting this beloved holiday to meet the needs of 2020. It all culminates in a socially distanced parking lot celebration right here at Shaare Emeth.

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Eight Crazy Nights!

Live-streamed candle lighting
6 p.m. December 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16

Join us on Zoom on select nights for a live candle lighting of the chanukiah! We’ll broadcast this beautiful tradition from different spots each night.

How to watch: Bookmark our congregational stream here and join at 6 p.m. each night!

 

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Friday, December 11

6 p.m.: Shabbat Chanukah Service

Join us for a fun, festive and family-friendly service that will welcome in the Chanukah season with music and joy. This service will include lighting of the chanukiah candles for the second night.

How to watch: Stream the service live at sestl.org/livestream or our Facebook page.

 

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Saturday, December 12

9:30-10:30 a.m.: Chanukah Torah Study

Shaare Emeth is proud to partner with the St. Louis Rabbinical and Cantorial Association to offer the community a special opportunity to study Torah together.

Rabbi Rachel Bearman will lead an exploration of Judah and Judith, two leaders that the Jewish tradition associates with the holiday of Chanukah. We’ll begin by investigating what the tradition has to say about both of these figures and then will move on to more contemporary interpretations of their identities and legacies.

How to participate: Register at bit.ly/JudahandJudith.

4 p.m.: Glowstick Chanukah Party

Dance, celebrate and party in this digital celebration aimed for young children and their families! Pick up a glowstick bundle from Shirlee Green Preschool on Thursday, December 10 and then join us on Zoom for a Chanukah celebration.

How to participate: Register here and we’ll send you a link to the stream!

7 p.m.: Light Up the Night
$5 suggested donation per household

On the third night of Chanukah, give the gift of light to a family in need and give yourself the gift of an evening filled with music, poetry, story and song.

With Shaare Emeth’s clergy, Lucy Greenbaum and the Prayer Lab musicians, this Light Up the Night concert will brighten your winter nights and add a measure of warmth and joy to your holiday celebrations this year.

Registration is required and a $5 minimum donation per family is suggested. This money will go to Ameren’s Gift of Energy program to help community members pay their electric bills this winter.

Co-sponsored by the Jewish Mindfulness Center of St. Louis

How to participate: Register and make a donation here. We’ll send you a link to the service after you register!

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Sunday, December 13

4 p.m.: Jew Apron – join our digital latke cook-off!

This year we are bringing the latkes to YOU! This Chanukah, community members will have an opportunity to purchase one easy, convenient kit of ingredients for a meal of Chanukah fun to make your own latkes. Our “Jew Apron” meal kits will be available on a limited basis to members of Shaare Emeth. These tasty, crispy, homemade treats are perfect for a stay-at-home celebration of the Festival of Lights.

On December 13, our community members will gather together to cook online and get those latkes just the right shade of golden brown!

How to participate: Purchase a kit here.

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Monday, December 14

5 p.m.: Chanukah Bingo with Camp Emeth

All are welcome to join us for tons of fun playing Chanukah Bingo, sponsored by Camp Emeth. The night will feature Camp Emeth Staff callers, fun games and more! Bingo cards will be in every Shaare Emeth Chanukah Adventure Bag, and also available for you to print at home.

How to participate: Register here.

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Tuesday, December 15

5:30 p.m.: Mi Shebeirach Moments Chanukah Healing Service

Join Rabbi Goldstein and Lucy Greenbaum for a healing service filled with music, poetry and prayers illuminated by the themes of Chanukah. Whether you are praying for yourself, a loved one, those affected by the coronavirus or the healing of our fractured world, all are welcome at this service of connection and hope. The service will conclude at 6 p.m. with the lighting of the Chanukah lights for the sixth night of Chanukah.

Presented by the Jewish Mindfulness Center of St. Louis

How to watch: Bookmark our stream here and join us at 5:30 p.m. December 15 to take part.

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Thursday, December 17

6–7:30 p.m.: The Eighth Crazy Night!

Celebrate the last night of Chanukah on the parking lot at Congregation Shaare Emeth! We’re offering socially distanced fun for every age.

• Help light up our Congregational chanukiah
• Participate in Drive-by Dreidel game with prizes, sponsored by Shaare Emeth’s Interfaith Outreach
• Help warm up the unhoused with donations for Winter Outreach donations
• Photo opportunities with surprise guests!

How to participate: RSVP here and we’ll be sure to reserve your sufganiyot (donuts) to take with you.

Don’t forget to wear a mask if you are 3 years of age and over!

Please bring with you one or more of the items below for St. Louis Winter Outreach. We will have a drive-up collection bin.

• New adult size socks
• New adult size winter hats and gloves
• New adult size  blankets
• New adult size underwear
• Gently used adult size winter coats and boots

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