Here are 3 ways to celebrate Hanukkah this year in Louisville

Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal
Updated ·1 min read
Then Mayor-Elect Craig Greenberg greeted the crowd before lighting a menorah during a Hanukkah celebration at the Trager Family Jewish Community Center on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022.
Then Mayor-Elect Craig Greenberg greeted the crowd before lighting a menorah during a Hanukkah celebration at the Trager Family Jewish Community Center on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022.

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Maccabees after it was destroyed by the Syrians while keeping everyone safe and healthy. Jews celebrate Hanukkah by lighting menorahs, telling the Hanukkah story, playing dreidel, and eating special foods. Celebrated for eight days, this year the holiday falls on Dec. 7-15.

Here are a few ways to celebrate around Louisville:

Hanukkah events at Congregation Adath Jeshurun

2401 Woodbourne Ave. 502-458-5359 or adathjeshurun.com

Dec. 7, 5-7:30 p.m.: Hanukkah Palooza! Enjoy a festive Latke dinner (and sufganiyot, of course), and bring your own Menorah for community candle lighting, crafts, games and a bounce house. $5, free for ages 12 and younger. Reservations are required by Nov. 30.

Hannukah events at The Temple

5101 US-42. 502-423-1818; thetemplelouky.org/calendar

A menorah candle burned bright during a Hanukkah celebration at the Trager Family Jewish Community Center on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022.
A menorah candle burned bright during a Hanukkah celebration at the Trager Family Jewish Community Center on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022.

Dec. 9, 7 p.m.: Young Adult Hanukkah Craft Night. Join the the growing group of young adults as they celebrate Hanukkah, drink craft beer and create arts and crafts. Reservations are requested. Email Bailey and Dan at baileyanddan@thetemplelouky.org.

Dec. 10, 5 p.m.: The Temple’s Annual Hanukah Celebration. Featuring the Temple Brotherhood Dinner and Latkes with Troop 30 vendors, Hanukkah Hootenanny with the Temple Tunes, arts and crafts and the Family Hanukkah Menorah Lighting (bring your hanukkiah). Reservations are requested.

Hannukah events at the Trager Family Jewish Community Center

3600 Dutchman’s Lane. 502-459-0660; jewishlouisville.org.

10-year-old Madison Fox, left, and her sister, 7-year-old Peyton Fox enjoyed coloring during a Hanukkah celebration at the Trager Family Jewish Community Center on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022.
10-year-old Madison Fox, left, and her sister, 7-year-old Peyton Fox enjoyed coloring during a Hanukkah celebration at the Trager Family Jewish Community Center on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022.

Dec. 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m.: Trager Family Jewish Community Center Hanukkah Celebration. With latkes, donuts, crafts, games, gelt, PJ Library Storytime, and live music with Lost Tribe. Free.

Reach features news clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Events, ways to celebrate Hanukkah in Louisville 2023