Eight nights of light — a klezmer festival downtown, public menorah lightings across the region, latkes, donuts, and enough Jewish pride to light up the Gulf Coast.
Chanukah is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime "festival of lights," celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. The Hebrew word Chanukah means "dedication" — it celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple. Chanukah begins on the eve of Kislev 25 and continues for eight days.
Read more about Chanukah
A live klezmer concert at the gazebo in Centennial Park, downtown Venice — local dignitaries, a 16-foot menorah lighting, Hebrew School performance, kids' activities, traditional food, a grand raffle, and Judah the Maccabee, our lively 8-foot mascot. Free and open to all.
Lightings across the region each year — bringing the festival of lights to every corner of our community.
Request a full Chanukah kit — tin menorah, candles, and dreidel — or a box of candles, to pick up at Chabad or delivered by mail. Every Jewish home aglow.
Request a kit
Visit seniors, help cook and pack, set up the public menorahs, and run the big events — Chanukah at Chabad is powered by volunteers, and there's a job for everyone.
VolunteerPresented with the support of the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation — Daniel M. Paradies Foundation Endowment
Sponsorships keep every event free and open to the whole community.
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