Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish “Festival of Lights,” starts at nightfall Dec. 14 this year. Sonoma County is taking part in the festivities with dinners, drinks, public menorah lightings and more.
Traditionally, families celebrate the Jewish holiday (also called Chanukah) over eight nights, lighting a candle on the menorah with a special blessing and enjoying foods fried in oil, such as latkes and sufganiyot (deep-fried jelly- or jam-filled doughnuts). For kids (and adults), playing the dreidel is a great way to win (or lose) gelt (chocolate “coins” wrapped in gold foil).
Here’s where to celebrate Hanukkah in Sonoma style.
Hanukkah Events
Chabad Jewish Center of Petaluma
The Chabad Jewish Center of Petaluma will host several events on select days throughout December for Hanukkah this year. Holiday supplies will be available at the center’s Chanukah Shoppe, featuring staples like candles, menorahs, dreidels and gelt, as well as toys and decorations. Call for hours and product information.
The center will present its 11th annual Chanukah Celebration from 4-6 p.m., Dec. 14, at the Petaluma Fairgrounds (175 Fairgrounds Drive). The event will include a grand menorah lighting, live DJ music, a raffle, an LED and fire performance, holiday crafts and games, latkes and jelly doughnuts, the world’s biggest dreidel and the highly anticipated hot air balloon gelt drop. Free with RSVP; donations welcomed.
Join the center for its Chanukah Shabbat Dinner, starting at 5 p.m., Dec. 19. The evening includes lighting the menorah and traditional Chanukah and Shabbat foods. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children.
On the last night of Hanukkah, join the center in lighting the last candle on the menorah during its Chanukah on Ice event, from 4-6 p.m., Dec. 21, at the Petaluma Fairgrounds. Guests can enjoy latkes and doughnuts, as well as ice skating at the city’s outdoor ice rink, Luma Ice. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for children and seniors, and free for non-skaters and children 3 and under. Learn more and purchase tickets through the Luma Ice website.
Reserve tickets for other Chabad Jewish Center events on the center’s website. Chabad Jewish Center of Petaluma, 205 Keller St., Petaluma, 707-559-8585, jewishpetaluma.com
Congregation Ner Shalom
Cotati’s Ner Shalom will host a Hanukkah party from 4-7 p.m. Dec. 14. The evening starts with family games and activities, followed by latkes and a potluck dinner. Guests can bring their own menorah and light it at the event. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and under. Purchase tickets online.
Ner Shalom will also host a Hanukkah celebration for teens and adults with disabilities and their families in a disability-friendly environment. The approximately 2-hour celebration will be held at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 21 at the congregation’s outdoor courtyard (weather permitting). Register online.
85 La Plaza, Cotati, 707-664-8622, nershalom.org
Joseph Weingarten Chabad Jewish Center
The Santa Rosa Jewish Center will celebrate Hanukkah early with its “Miracle of Chocolate” event, in collaboration with the Sonoma County Jewish Women’s Circle, starting at 7 p.m., Dec. 4, at Chabad. Guests can create custom chocolates to gift for the holiday and take home curated gift boxes. $25 per person. Reserve online. The center will lead a menorah-making workshop starting at 11 a.m. Dec. 7 at The Home Depot in Santa Rosa (100 Bicentennial Way). Guests of all ages can enjoy Hanukkah treats while building their own menorah. The event is free with an RSVP. The center will also host a Hanukkah festival starting at 4 p.m. Dec. 14 at Montgomery Village. There will be a live band, latkes, gelt and dreidels.
2461 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa, 707-577-0277, jewishsonoma.com
Congregation Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa
The congregation will host its annual Shabbat Hanukkah from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 19. Its choir, Shomrei Shira, will provide music and there will also be latkes and doughnuts. Guests are welcome to bring their own menorahs to light at the beginning of the service. The event is free but registration is required. Reserve online.
2600 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, 707-578-5519, cstsr.org
Congregation Beth Ami of Santa Rosa
Beth Ami will host two Hanukkah events this year: a Tot Shabbat from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Dec. 20, at the congregation’s lounge; and a Hanukkah party and latke dinner from 4:30-7 p.m., Dec. 21. The Tot Shabbat will include music, storytelling, crafts and holiday treats.
The community latke night begins with card and board games followed by a short service with Rabbi Ron Koas, candlelightings, Hanukkah songs and then dinner. The event is free but donations are accepted. RSVP by Dec. 18 to the Beth Ami office, or call 707-360-3000 or email the office (office@BethAmiSR.org) to reserve a spot.
4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-360-3000, bethamisr.org
Sonoma Valley Chabad Jewish Center
The Chabad Jewish Center of Sonoma Valley will host a family Hanukkah party starting at 10:30 a.m., Dec. 8, at Nanigins children’s store (529 Broadway). There will be holiday songs and stories, treats, and dreidel-making. RSVP online or text Chaya Wenger at 707-909-0530. The center will also host a musical Hanukkah celebration starting at 5 p.m., Dec. 15, at the Sonoma Marketplace gazebo near Whole Foods (201 W. Napa St.). There will be live music, latkes and doughnuts, children’s crafts, a fire show and the lighting of an 8-foot glowing menorah. Admission is free.
858 Third St. W., Sonoma, 929-253-0820, svjewishcenter.com
Raven Performing Arts Theater
Healdsburg’s Raven Theater will welcome The Klezmatics, a Grammy-winning klezmer band, performing from 7:30-9:30 p.m., Dec. 9, at the theater. The contemporary performance of traditional Jewish music is part of the band’s “Happy Joyous Hanukkah Tour.” General admission is $30 and center seats are $50, plus fees. Purchase tickets online.
115 North St., Healdsburg, 707-433-6335, raventheater.org
Hanukkah Food Specials
Grossman’s Noshery & Bar
The Jewish deli and restaurant in Railroad Square will have Hanukkah offerings available for pickup from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. between Dec. 14 and Dec. 22. Menu items include potato leek latkes with applesauce and sour cream, chopped liver and onions, matzoh ball soup, pomegranate molasses roasted carrots, braised brisket, smoked and pickled fish board, sabich platter and smoked meat board. Baked goods include sufganiyot filled with strawberry jam, rugelach (chocolate or cinnamon) and braided challah loaf. The menu will be served at the restaurant from Dec. 14-27. Hanukkah candles and chocolate coins will also be available.
308 1/2 Wilson St., Santa Rosa, 707-595-7707, grossmanssr.com
Marla Bakery
Marla will have sufganiyot available for pickup Dec. 13, 14, 19-21 at the downtown Santa Rosa bakery, as well as on Dec. 14 and Dec. 21 at Clement Street Farmers Market and Sebastopol Farmers Market. Sufganiyots are filled with a choice of Meyer lemon cream or dulce de leche cream. $18 per box. Order online for pickup.
208 Davis St., Santa Rosa, 707-852-4098, marlabakery.com
Zoftig Eatery
Zoftig is offering housemade Hanukkah latkes for pickup on Dec. 12, 15 and 16. Latke orders include applesauce and sour cream. Call or place an order online.
57 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-521-9554, zoftigeatery.com