By Erin Bruehl
From events at the World Financial Center to South Street Seaport to the Museum for Jewish Heritage to local synagogues, there is plenty planned to keep Downtowners entertained this Hanukkah.
Metropolitan Klezmer will be at the World Financial Center at noon on Friday, Dec. 19, performing vibrant versions of Hanukkah songs, folk, swing and tango styles, as well as soundtrack material from vintage Yiddish films before the holiday’s first night. The group will also be performing on Dec. 22. Admission is free. For more information, call (212) 945-0505 or visit www.worldfinancialcenter.com.
The South Street Seaport Museum is sponsoring a Light Around the World family workshop. Participants will make candles to take home, learn about Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and other holiday festivities that celebrate light as well as share your own holiday traditions on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 1 p.m. at the Melville Gallery, 213 Water Street. Admission is $5. For more information, call (212) 748-8758 or visit www.southstseaport.org.
Join the Great Small Works Theater Company for an interactive Hanukkah shadow puppet show at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place, on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 12:30 p.m. Families will build puppets and re-create the Hanukkah story with shadows on the big screen. Appropriate for children of all ages. The event is free for family-level members, $10 for adults, $7 for non family-level members/seniors, and $5 for students/children under 12. For more information, call (646) 437-4200 or visit www.mjhnyc.com.
Wall Street Rising is sponsoring Family Fun for Hanukkah on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 11 a.m. at 25 Broad St. Celebrate Hanukkah with dreidels, music and activities for children of all ages. Admission is free. For more information, call (212) 425-4636.
The Civic Center Synagogue/Synagogue for the Arts, 49 White St. is holding a Children’s Hanukkah Party on Monday, Dec. 22 at 5:30 p.m. There will be family entertainment with the Dreidel on Stilts (Buffo the Clown) plus bee’s-wax candle-making, dreidel play, and a holiday sing-along. Rabbi Glass will also hold a candle-lighting ceremony. There will be jelly donuts, potato latkes, and more. Cost is $10 per child. For more information, contact the synagogue at (212) 966-7141.
The Downtown Synagogue is having a Hanukkah party on Saturday, December 20, from 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at P.S. 234, 292 Greenwich St. Come light candles, play dreidel, sing, eat, and socialize with friends. There will also be a grab bag for children. Each child should bring a gift. The cost is $5.
The Second Annual Tevet Festival, sponsored by the Downtown Synagogue, will be on Thursday, December 25, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St. The event includes Chinese food, movies, Klezmer music, and bring children’s arts and crafts. The cost is $10 for adults, $7 for children below 12, or $30 for families. For more information, contact the synagogue at (212) 938-1111.
The Wall Street Synagogue, at 47 Beekman St. , is having a special Open House on Tuesday, December 23 from 5 –7 p.m. There will be drinks, traditional Hanukkah foods, as well as Hanukkah songs. Everyone is welcome. There is also a menorah lighting ceremony at 4:40 p.m., immediately prior to the Open House. For more information, call (212) 227-7800.
