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I think of Hanukkah as the Gumby of Jewish holidays. People can (and do) twist and pull the eight nights of celebration into whatever shape resonates most for them. For some, it's a story of national liberation, for others, a story of struggle against assimilation. The rabbis of the Talmud focused on the miracle of the oil, while Zionist pioneers were inspired by the Maccabean revolt agains a foreign power.
 Though Hanukkah is not mentioned in the Torah and while there are no explicit requirements for celebrating the holiday outlined in the Mishnah, Hanukkah has emerged as the most celebrated Jewish holiday among American Jews today.
Here in California, the Hanukkah theme that feels most present is the challenge of retaining our Jewish identity, traditions, and faith while engaging with a larger, dominant civilization. To help support families as they honor tradition during Hanukkah, we've published a series of brand-new printable tools available below and on our website here. I invite you to download, print, and share them with your loved ones this holiday season as you honor Hanukkah by twisting it into the shape that works for you.
Wishing joy and light to you and all those you hold dear,
David Waksberg CEO Jewish LearningWorks
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Download Hanukkah @Home, a printable guide for families with young children.
Inside:
> The Hanukkah Story
> Hanukkah Rituals & Traditions
> Playing Dreidel
> Special Hanukkah Foods
> Hanukkah Activites & Crafts
> Hanukkah Media
> Hanukkah Text Study for Adults
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Download Hanukkah 4Kids, a hands-on activity booklet for exploring the holiday.
Enjoy the Hanukkah maze, crossword puzzle, movement/yoga, cartoon story, word search, coloring page, Hebrew, and more!
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Download Hanukkah @Shul,
printable activity pages for kids of all abilities and all levels of observance to use during Shabbat services.
Inside:
> Instructions for Use During Shabbat
> Mazes and Puzzles
> Hebrew and Counting Games > Find the Differences > Story Time with Goldie the Chocolate Gelt
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Embodied Jewish Learning
Yoga and Wholeness
With a Jewish Twist
Wednesday Dec. 2nd & 9th
12:35 - 1:35 pm Peninsula JCC, Foster City
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Chabad
Journey of the Soul
Life, death, & what lies beyond
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Wednesday Dec. 2nd 7:30 - 9:00 pm
Oshman Family JCC, Palo Alto
Presented by: Rabbi Yosef Levin
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Jewish Community Library
Jerusalem of Gold
Thursday Dec. 3rd
7:00 - 8:30 pm Jewish Community Library, SF
Presented by: Merav Rozenblum
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Exploring the World of Judaism
The Taste of Judaism
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Sunday Dec. 6th 9:30 - 11:40 am
Congregation Kol Shofar, Tiburon
Presented by: Rebecca Ets-Hokin
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Jewish Community Library
Drop-in Book Club: The Jewish Husband by Lia Levi
Sunday Dec. 6th
2:00 - 3:30 pm Jewish Community Library, SF
Presented by: Jim Van Buskirk
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Dira Le'haskir - Hebrew Puppet Show for young children and their families!
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Sunday Dec. 13th 10:30 - 11:30 am
Jewish Community Library, SF
Presented by: Up a Tree Puppetry
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Jewish Community Library
Stumbling Stone: A Novel
Sunday Dec. 13th
1:30 - 3:00 pm Jewish Community Library, SF
Presented by: Julie Freestone and Rudi Raab
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Embodied Jewish Learning
Yoga for Balance
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Sunday Dec. 13th 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Peninsula JCC, Foster City
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Jewish Community Library
Film Class Screening of Primo
Thursday Dec. 17th
7:00 - 9:00 pm Jewish Community Library, SF
Presented by: Howard Freedman
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Embodied Jewish Learning
Save the Date! Weekend Retreat at Westerbeke Ranch, Sonoma CA
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February 26th - 28th, 2016 Details to come!
Presented by: Julie Emden
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Next week we will ask for your gift.
If you are compelled to make a contribution now, on #GivingTuesday please do!
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