The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage invites guests of all ages and backgrounds to join together for its annual Chanukah candle lighting and to hear the story of Chanukah, sing traditional songs, make holiday crafts and more on December 5 at 5 p.m.
This free family fun event celebrates the Jewish holiday of Chanukah, also known as the miracle of lights, which historically took place in Jerusalem at the Second Temple. Children and their families can tour the museum’s special exhibition Israel: Then & Now and see a large mural of the remnants of that temple, now known as the Western Wall. To make the exhibition accessible to younger audiences, there is a children’s focused StoryWalk which uses panels from a new book called “Ari & Abigail’s Passport to Israel” paired with hands-on activities at each station. At the end of the self-guided tour, family members of all ages are encouraged to write a wish or prayer to place into a lock box that will be taken to the Western Wall in Israel. Traditionally, thousands of notes are tucked into cracks of the wall each year.
In addition, guests can hear the story of Chanukah with Michele Stern and read their own holiday books in the PJ Library story corner. A sing-along of traditional songs will be led by Temple Emanuel’s Cantor Richard Lawrence and violinist Lisa Martel.Plus, families can enjoy an assortment of holiday crafts and a scavenger hunt and take home a small holiday goodie bag.
