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Kehillat Shalom will cap eight days of lighting candles with a party featuring staple foods such as potato latkes (pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts), traditional games such as the spinning of the dreydal and a special performance by Circus Boy, a unicycle riding, fire eating one-man show.
�It�s a party for families and kids and people who want to be entertained,� said Maris Fineberg, one of the party organizers. �We�ll be lighting the menorah, singing songs, eating; and Circus Boy is always a treat.�
Kehillat Shalom is a conservative Egalitarian Synagogue whose goal is to make Judaism more family oriented. It is a relatively new addition to the Skokie Jewish community � it opened its doors in July � and according to Kehillat Shalom president Ed Hammerman, the Synagogue prides itself on being warm, friendly and participatory.
�We offer many opportunities to participate in worship services where the entire family will feel welcome,� Hammerman said. �We are a community inclusive of our friends and neighbors, who stand ready to support one another.�
�One of our primary things is family, and Hanukkah is typically a very joyous holiday that you can celebrate,� Fineberg said. �How can you not have a Hanukkah party? These days we can use more miracles. We can all use more celebration.�
Hanukkah, like Purim, is a post-Biblical holiday and is not a yom tov, a holy day. Also called the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days, commencing on the 25th day of the month of Kislev (November/December), to commemorate the victory of the Jews over the Hellenist Syrians.
Each day is celebrated by the lighting of the menorah. The menorah contains eight main branches and one extra branch for the Shamash candle, which is used to light the other candles. The word Hanukkah means �dedication� in Hebrew.
Kehillat Shalom is located at 8610 Niles Center Road where it is leasing space from Temple Judea Mizpah.
The event costs $10 per family for Kehillat Shalom members and $15 per family for non-members. Fineberg said that everyone is welcome to attend, but that reservations are required. The festivities will begin at 5:30.
