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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

Hanukkah @Home
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
> Hanukkah Songs

Hanukkah 4Kids 

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!

Hanukkah @Shul
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 

Embodied Jewish Learning
Yoga and Wholeness 
With a Jewish Twist
Wednesday Dec. 2nd & 9th
12:35 - 1:35 pm
Peninsula JCC, Foster City

Presented by: Julie Emden and PJCC's Jewish Wellness Initiative


Chabad 
Journey of the Soul
Life, death, & what lies beyond

Wednesday Dec. 2nd 
7:30 - 9:00 pm
Oshman Family JCC, Palo Alto 

Presented by: Rabbi Yosef Levin

Jewish Community Library
Jerusalem of Gold
Thursday Dec. 3rd
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Jewish Community Library, SF

Presented by: Merav Rozenblum

Exploring the World of Judaism 
The Taste of Judaism

Sunday Dec. 6th
9:30 - 11:40 am
Congregation Kol Shofar, Tiburon

Presented by: Rebecca Ets-Hokin

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

Jewish Community Library
Dira Le'haskir - Hebrew Puppet Show
for young children and their families! 

Sunday Dec. 13th
10:30 - 11:30 am
Jewish Community Library, SF

Presented by: Up a Tree Puppetry

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 

Embodied Jewish Learning
Yoga for Balance

Sunday Dec. 13th
2:00 - 4:00 pm
Peninsula JCC, Foster City

Presented by: Julie Emden and PJCC's Jewish Wellness Initiative

Jewish Community Library
Film Class Screening of Primo
Thursday Dec. 17th
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Jewish Community Library, SF

Presented by: Howard Freedman

Embodied Jewish Learning
Save the Date! Weekend Retreat
at Westerbeke Ranch, Sonoma CA 

February 26th - 28th, 2016
Details to come!

Presented by: Julie Emden



Next week we will ask for your gift.  
If you are compelled to make a contribution now, on 
#GivingTuesday please do!

Jewish LearningWorks, 601 14th Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94118, United States