Chanukah Events In Connecticut

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9
Greenwich – Family Shabbat Service and Chanukah Celebration featuring the GRS House Band and a catered dinner; 6:30 p.m.; Greenwich Reform Synagogue, 257 Stanwich Rd., (203) 629-0018 x221, erin@grs.org. $25 adults; $10 children

Trumbull – Pre-Chanukah book fair; books for all ages; presented by the B’nai Torah nursery school; 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; See also Dec. 6, 7, 8, & 11 Congrega-tion B’nai Torah, 5700 Main St. (203) 268-0227
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11
Farmington – Third Annual Mandell JCC Macy’s Chanukah Family Fest, entertainment by Rabbi Jeff Bennett of Temple Sinai and Jen Ludgin of Kindermusic; cookie decorating, face-painting and more; hosted by the Mandell JCC, noon – 2 p.m.; at Macy’s Westfarms Mall, children’s dept. FREE

Greenwich – Annual Chanukah Book and Gift Fair; books, candles, Judaica; 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Greenwich Reform Synagogue, 257 Stanwich Rd., (203) 629-0018 x221, erin@grs.org.

Greenwich – Young Family Concert & Chanukah Celebration, featuring children’s entertainer Graham Clarke and Cantor Sabrina Lipton; treats, door prizes and more; 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.;  Greenwich Reform Synagogue, 257 Stanwich Rd., (203) 629-0018 x221, erin@grs.org.

Greenwich – “The December Dilemma: Chanukah? Christmas? Both?” an open discussion with Rabbi Andrew Sklarz, MSW; 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.; Greenwich Reform Synagogue, 257 Stanwich Rd., (203) 629-0018 x221, erin@grs.org, www.grs.org

Hamden – Annual Mitzvah Mall; find out about community charitable organizations, make donations in honor of loved ones as holiday gifts; 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Congregation Mishkan Israel, 785 Ridge Rd., (203) 288-3877.

Trumbull – Pre-Chanukah Book Fair; 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; See also Dec. 9, Congregation B’nai Torah, 5700 Main St. (203) 268-0227

West Hartford – Mitzvah Mall; find out about 20 area non-profits and how you can donate goods for the holidays; 10 a.m. – noon; at Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Ave. and Congregation Beth Israel, 701 Farmington Ave., (860) 233-9891

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18
Chester – Chanukah Celebration hosted by the Religious School of Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek; singing, games (including Blackjack Dreidel and Chanukah Bingo), arts and crafts, latkes and soufganiyot; 11 a.m. – noon; Rodfe Zedek, 55 East Kings Highway. (860) 526-8920

Greenwich – Chanukah Extravaganza featuring “The Fountainheads: Live in Concert, followed by a Chanukah party with latkes, games,m face-painting; 4 p.m.; Temple Sholom, 300 East Putnam Ave., (203) 869-7191. $10 adult; $5 child; FREE for child under 3

Ridgefield – Chanukah Wonderland; live olive oil press, crafts, doughnut decorating, dreidels, latkes and chocolate coins, music and dancing; hosted by Chabad of Ridgefield; 1 – 3 p.m.; at the Ridgefield Rec Center, 195 Danbury Rd.

Simsbury – Chanukah celebration at Blue Fox Rock ‘n Bowl hosted by the Chai Center; in addition to bowling, make your own edible dreidels and Chanukah crafts; .; 3 – 4:30 p.m.; 1603 Hopmeadow St (860) 677-1235, emacgilpin@jewishhartford.org. $9.50 per person, includes shoes and two games.

West Hartford – Chanukah Family Extravaganza concert featuring the Mama Doni Band; 5:45 p.m.; Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Ave., (860) 231-6316. $5 non-members; FREE for JCC members

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19
West Hartford – Annual Chanukah Bash featuring “The Maccabeats,” concert and dessert, hosted by Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford; 6:30 p.m.; West Hartford Town Hall auditorium, South Main St. (860) 561-0700. FREE (reservations required)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20
Canton –Chanukah Story Time; hear PJ Library Chanukah stories and songs, make a simple Chanukah craft, hosted by the Chai Center; 10:30 a.m.; at Barnes & Noble, 110 Albany Tpke (Rte. 44). FREE

Old Greenwich – “A Taste of Chanukah,” fifth annual Chanukah cocktail party hosted by The Network for Jewish Singles 55+; candle lighting, dreidels, wine, hors d’oeuvres, desserts; 7 p.m.; at the Hyatt Regency, 1800 East Putnam Ave.. (203) 622-1881,  $36 by Dec. 15; $45 at the door; jfsmeetandmingle@yahoo.com.

West Hartford – First night Candle Lighting; edible dreidels and Chanukah crafts; 4 p.m.; Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Ave. FREE

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24
Fairfield – Chanukah Rock and Bowl; two hours of unlimited Extreme Bowling, lighting of a “bowling pin” menorah, latkes, donuts and Chanukah crafts; hosted by Chabad of Fairfield; 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.; at Nutmeg Bowl, 802 Villa Ave. (203) 373-1118, www.chabadff.com. $15

West Hartford – Chanukah Celebration featuring the “The What’s Up Band” in concert; a Jewish/American rock ‘n roll band; doors open at 6:45 for pre-concert Chanukah concessions and refreshments; children interested in singing in finale with the band should arrive at 6 p.m. for a rehearsal; concert at 7:30 p.m.; Beth David Synagogue, 20 Dover Rd., (860)  236-1241.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25
Fairfield – Community Candle Lighting at the Sherman Green gazebo, followed by a family celebration with music, dancing, latkes, donuts, raffle, and a chance to meet Judah Maccabbee; hosted by Chabad of Fairfield; (203) 373-1118, www.chabadff.com.

Glastonbury – Chinese Chanukah Dinner, 5 p.m., Chabad Jewish Center, 25 Harris St., (860) 659-2422. $18