Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish “Festival of Lights,” starts at nightfall Dec. 25 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 the course of 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 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 a number of events on select days throughout December for Hanukkah this year. Additionally, the center has a pop-up Chanukah Shoppe open all month long to stock up on holiday supplies like candles, menorahs, dreidels and gelt, as well as toys and decorations.
Dubbed as a “pre-Chanukah women’s night out,” the Jewish Center will host a Miracle of Chocolate event starting at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12. The event will include creating custom chocolates with a variety of toppings and fillings, then packaging them in gift boxes to share and enjoy. $25 per ticket.
To kick off the first night of Hanukkah, join the center for its Chanukah Chinese Dinner, starting at 5 p.m., Dec. 25 (it is a common tradition among American Jews to eat Chinese food on Dec. 25, since most other restaurants are closed on Christmas Day). The evening includes lighting the menorah, a kosher Chinese dinner and a night of games for all ages. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children.
The Jewish Center will present its 10th annual Chanukah Celebration & Helicopter Gelt Drop from 4:30-6 p.m., Dec. 29, at the Petaluma Fairgrounds (175 Fairgrounds Drive). The community 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 anticipated helicopter gelt drop. Free with RSVP.
Join the center in lighting the last candle on the menorah during its Chanukah on Ice event, from 4-6 p.m., Jan. 1, at the Petaluma Fairgrounds. Guests can enjoy latkes and doughnuts as well as ice skating on the city’s new 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.
To RSVP for the Chabad Jewish Center’s events, click here.
Chabad Jewish Center of Petaluma, 205 Keller St., Petaluma, 707-559-8585, jewishpetaluma.com
B’nai Israel Jewish Center
This Petaluma Jewish Center will host a Hanukkah dinner and party from 5-8:30 p.m. Dec. 28. The evening will include holiday music, the ritual of Havdalah (marking the end of Shabbat), candle lighting, family-friendly stories and games, latkes and a vegetarian dinner. Plus, door prizes and an “Ugliest Hanukkah Sweater” contest. Tickets are $25 per adult if you RSVP before Dec. 20, $30 afterward. Free admission for children 12 and under. Purchase tickets online.
740 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707-762-0340, bnaiisrael.net
Congregation Ner Shalom
Cotati’s Ner Shalom will host a Hanukkah party from 4-7 p.m. Dec. 29. The evening starts with 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.
85 La Plaza, Cotati, 707-664-8622, nershalom.org
Joseph Weingarten Chabad Jewish Center
The Santa Rosa Jewish center will lead a menorah making workshop starting at 11 a.m. Dec. 15, 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 RSVP. The center will also host a Hanukkah concert with the Oneg Shemesh Band, starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 29. Tickets are $25 and sponsorships, which include VIP seating for two, are $180. Reserve online.
2461 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa, 707-577-0277, jewishsonoma.com
Congregation Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa
The congregation will host a Shabbat Hanukkah from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 27. 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, which can also be livestreamed, 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 Chinese dinner and movie night from 4-8 p.m. Dec. 25, and a latke dinner from 4-7 p.m., Dec. 29. The Chinese food and movie night includes vegetarian fare by Mark Dierkhising and David Kahn, with a showing of the 1979 Western comedy The Frisco Kid. Tickets are $25 for members of a Sonoma County synagogue, $30 for non-members and $15 for children under 16. RSVP to the Beth Ami office by Dec. 23.
The latke night begins with card and board games followed by a short service with Rabbi Ron Koas, candle lightings, Hanukkah songs and then dinner. The event is free but donations are accepted. RSVP to the Beth Ami office by Dec. 24. People can also order latkes to go: $18 for 10 homemade latkes. To-go latke orders due by Dec. 20. Call or email the office (office@BethAmiSR.org) to place order. Pickup times are 2-4 p.m. Dec. 23, 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 24, and after 3 p.m. Dec. 25.
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 Hanukkah celebration starting at 5 p.m. Dec. 26, at the Sonoma Marketplace gazebo near Whole Foods (201 W. Napa St.). The celebration will feature a public menorah lighting, a live klezmer band, latkes, doughnuts and children’s activities. Free admission.
858 Third St. W., Sonoma, 929-253-0820, svjewishcenter.com
Jewish Healdsburg
Jewish Healdsburg will host a community Hanukkah celebration starting at 5 p.m. Dec. 26 on the Healdsburg Plaza. A candle lighting will take place at 5:30 p.m., and the holiday celebration will continue at Acorn Cafe. RSVPs are appreciated.
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. 17, at the theater. The contemporary performance of traditional Eastern European Jewish music is part of the band’s “Toward the Light Hanukkah Tour.” General admission is $30, center seats are $50 and first row seats are $75. 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 to order between 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily from Dec. 25 through Dec. 31, for pickup between Dec. 26-31. (The deli will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.) Menu items include potato leek latkes with applesauce and sour scream, chopped liver and onions, matzoh ball soup, quinoa tabbouleh, braised brisket, smoked and pickled fish board, and chicken shawarma kebabs. Sweet and baked items include sufganiyot filled with strawberry jam, rugelach (chocolate orange or cinnamon almond), hamantaschen (blackberry thyme or apricot poppy), cinnamon and chocolate babka, black & white cookies and braided challah loaf.
308 1/2 Wilson St., Santa Rosa, 707-595-7707, grossmanssr.com
Marla Bakery
The downtown Santa Rosa bakery will have sufganiyot available Dec. 24, 27 and 28 for Hanukkah. Sufganiyots are filled with 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
Penngrove Market
Penngrove Market is offering a ready-to-eat Hanukkah Dinner for four ($95) that will be available for pickup 4-6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 27. It will include beef brisket, potato vegetable latkes, matzoh ball soup and a green salad with honey-lemon dressing. Make advance reservations at the market or by calling 707-753-4974.
10070 Main St., Penngrove, 707-753-4974, penngrovemarket.com
A La Heart Kitchen
Forestville’s A La Heart Kitchen will offer latkes, matzoh ball soup, pot roast and more during regular business hour from Dec. 18 through Dec. 21. The restaurant will also have Hanukkah cookies from Rustic Bakery. Email orders to alaheart@sonic.net.
6490 Mirabel Road, Forestville, 707-527-7555, alaheart.com
Suncraft Fine Foods
This Sonoma caterer has a combined Christmas and Hanukkah menu available for pickup and delivery. The menu includes quiche, savory puff pastries, matzo ball soup, latkes with apple sauce and sour cream, mushroom wellington, honey-glazed ham, yule log cream cake and more. Deadline to order is Tuesday, Dec. 17. Call or email feast@suncraftfinefoods.com to place order. Pickup and delivery is available on Dec. 23 and pickup only is available on Dec. 24.
Sonoma, 707-343-6016, suncraftfinefoods.com