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Night One

Celebrate Chanukah!​

Kick off the festival of lights with the world's Largest LEGO Menorah and join us at our Community Family Chanukah Celebration at Denver Jewish Day School. We will have yummy chanukah treats, fun activities and live performances for families with children and teens of all ages.

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Night Two

Make Lotsa Latkes!

 

What's the best part about Chanukah? The latkes of course! Use our favorite recipe to make your very own latkes! Trader Joe’s latkes count too ;)

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When the Jews reclaimed the Temple they searched high and low and only found 1 flask of pure olive oil they lit the Menorah anyway knowing that after just one day the lights would go dark. Miraculously, the oil lasted for 8 days! We eat food fried in oil on Chanukah to remember this miracle that occurred with oil.

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Night Three

Dreidel Scattergories

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Play a traditional game of dreidel with your family or try this fun adaptation:

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Spin the dreidel and whichever side it lands on (נ,ג,ה,ש), players have two minutes to think up words that fit in a certain category (like fruit, vegetables, movie star or animal name) and start with that letter (N, G, H, Sh). Longest (or most creative!) list wins.

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The dreidel was invented at the time that the Syrian-Greeks forbade the Jewish people from studying Torah. Fearlessly, the Jews continued teaching and studying Torah in secret. Should a Greek soldier appear, they would hide their books, pull out tops and play with the children. 

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For a deeper look into the meaning of dreidel click here.

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Night Four

Motto of the Maccabee

 

Make a family "battle cry" or motto and then make a banner displaying your motto. Discuss why this is your family mantra and how you can use it on a daily basis.

 

The word Maccabee is an acronym for the Maccabee's battle cry: “Mi kamocha ba’eilim Hashem (מי כמוך באילים י׳), “Who is like You among the mighty, Hashem.” This phrase was written upon their banners and shields.

 

Night Five

Chanukah Hunt

 

Give family members clues as to where you have hidden symbols of the holiday: chocolate gelt, paper latkes, a dreidel, a new book to share, etc. Up the adventure by doing it with all the lights out and only a flashlight to light the way!

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Night Six

The Shabbat Chanukah Disconnect

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In honor of Shabbat Chanukah, enjoy the candles as a family for 30 minutes after lighting. Candles should be lit before Shabbat begins (4:20pm) This allows us to bask in the glow and light of the menorah and remember and share all the miracles that Hashem performed for us in the past and also currently, on a daily basis. Challenge every member of the family to turn off their phones and devices and find the JOI in connecting with your family while totally disconnected from the world. (For this challanege, no photo is necessary. Instead, please post something after Shabbat and tell us how awesome it was.)

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Night Seven

Share the Light

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Tis the season for giving! Choose a friend (or a few) that you'd like to deliver goodies to whether a card, baked goods, or special gifts to let them know you are thinking of them this holiday season!

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Night Eight

Publicize the Miracle

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Light the menorah with 7 candles proudly in your front window. Gather the family for a photo and feel the warmth and light of being a part of something bigger.

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