Hanukkah
Hanukkah celebrates the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian Greeks and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem (hanukkat ha-mizbeah) in the year 164 BCE. According to the book of Maccabees, Jews were not able to celebrate Sukkot that year because of the impurities in the Temple, and so they established a delayed 8-day celebration in the Hebrew month of Kislev. According to legend, when the Maccabees re-entered the Temple, they could find only enough oil to light the Menorah for one day; but a miracle happened and the lights remained bright for eight days.
There are special liturgical additions in our services during Hanukkah, but the most prominent aspect of the holiday is the kindling of the hanukiyyah (8-branch candelabra) each evening to fulfill the mitzvah of pirsumei nissa (publicizing the miracle). At B’nai Israel, our celebration is always marked by a special community event.
hanukkah celebrations 2024
B
ISNS Hanukkah Palooza: Kids' PJ Dance Party, Hanukkah Treats, and Shopping
Sunday, December 8
3:30-5:00 PM
Featuring Jason Mesches Children's Music Writer and Performer...all the way from LA!
Please join us at 3:30 PM for shopping with Paperpie Books (formerly Usborne), Pixielanestacy Pick-Up, Back to Basics Kids, and Life Love Creations. The concert will begin at 4:00 PM and Hanukkah snacks will be served. A quiet sensory-safe place will also be available. Click here to register.
Teen Hanukkah Party
Saturday, December 14
8:00–10:30 PM
Join us for our annual teen Hanukkah party at B’nai Israel. There will be sufganiyot, latkes, dreidels, and more! Click here to register.
Latkes and Lights
Thursday, December 19
6:00–9:00 PM
Gather with friends and family for a pre-Hanukkah celebration with food, games, fun, and plenty of lights! This program will feature activities for children of all ages, tots through teens, as well as for our adults. Click here to register by December 16.
ShabbatNukkah
Friday, December 27
6:15 PM Shabbat Service followed by dinner
Celebrate Shabbat Hanukkah with a delicious Chinese meal. Don’t forget to light Hanukkah and Shabbat candles at home before you come because Shabbat starts so early! And join in the fun of Bingo with Rabbi Cheryl Stone! Prizes will be awarded to the winners. Co-hosted by Sisterhood. Click here to register by Monday, December 23.
Additional ways you can celebrate Hanukkah
Sat, December 21 2024
20 Kislev 5785
the latest
The Voice of Jacob and the Hands of Esau (Parashat Toldot, November 30) by Rabbi Michael Safra
announcements
Thanks for voting us Best of Jewish Washington! Named 2024 Best Preschool, Children & Teen Programming, Alternative Shabbat Service, and Judaica Shop! Learn more.
Adult Civil Rights Trip February 10–12
Led by Rabbi Mitchell Berkowitz Learn more here.
Adult March of the Living Trip April 22–May 1, 2025
Join us on the journey from darkness to light. Learn more.
NEW Hebrew High Launches for Grades 9–12
Our program is designed with the interests and schedules of teens in mind. Check it out.
Schilit Nursery School AND Lessans Talmud Torah registration for 2024–2025 is open!
Very limited spaces remain for our 2024–25 Schilit Nursery School — we can't wait to meet you! Registration is also open for our Lessans Talmud Torah (Grades K–8).
B'nai Israel First Synagogue in North America to Install RightHear, supporting those who are blind or low vision.
Read our press release here.
NEW Resource: Fighting Antisemitism
Raise Awareness, Educate, and Act to stop antisemitism. Learn more.
Join Our Shabbat Morning Livestream
Click here to access.
Explore Our Exciting Adult Education Offerings
Learn more here.
shabbat services
Friday | 6:15 PM (7:00 PM during Summer) Access via Zoom (password 6301)
Saturday | 9:00 AM & 12:30 PM (Minha) Access via Livestream
weekday services
Sunday | 9:00 AM & 8:00 PM
Monday–Thursday | 7:15 AM & 8:00 PM
Friday | 7:15 AM
*Service times vary on holidays.
Click here for access information.
inclement weather policy
Click here for information.
Join Our Mailing List
We are accessible
B’nai Israel is proud to be accessible to all.
Large print siddurim, assistive listening devices and page magnifiers are readily available. Our entire building and grounds are wheelchair accessible. We can provide sign language interpreters upon request and subject to availability.
