Hanukkah 2020 Resources
Deepen your family’s Chanukah experience, beyond the gelt and glitz and gifts. This page is dedicated to enhancing your Chanukah celebration by providing Chanukah resources from around Greater New Haven. Now, more than ever, is the time to connect with the community whether with your in-person family or virtually.
Community Events
Just the spelling, whether it is Chanukah (our version), Hanukkah or Chanuka, exemplifies how varied are the ways we can celebrate this wintertime holiday. Parents and grandparents have multiple resources at their fingertips to help make this not-so-typical Chanukah holiday still feel special. PJ Library offers different ideas in the “Hanukkah Hub” found at pjlibrary.org/hanukkah.
AUDIO
The Hanukkah Story For Kids (podbean.com/ew/pb-fkizy-cbaf2a) is a part of the PJ Library production Have I Got a Story For You. In addition to listening to a story version about Chanukah and the Maccabees, families will also discover a short Chanukah blessings guide in Hebrew and English.
TASTE
Surprise your little ones with a special treat with these Star of David chocolate-cov- ered pretzels in their lunchbox. What a creative way to celebrate the holiday!
VISUAL
Although we are not having large family gatherings this holiday, we can still con- nect with others in the community...or even invite family and friends to drive by to see your glowing pathway.
KINESTHETIC
You can make a clay menorah just like Sadie does in the story, Sadie’s Almost Marvelous Menorah (pjlibrary.org/books/sadie-s-almost-marvelous-menorah/if279). Craft-stick candles result in a safe, flame-free menorah project. Just be careful not to drop it!
STAR OF DAVID PRETZELS (Makes 10)
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup non-dairy chocolate, melted
60 gluten-free pretzel sticks
Sprinkles
INSTRUCTIONS:
You will need six pretzel sticks per star. Dip each pretzel stick into the melted chocolate. Assemble together on a piece of wax paper and coat with sprinkles.
Allow to set until hardened. You can place in the freezer to expedite this process.
Source: Fork and Beans (forkandbeans. com/2015/12/05/hanukkah-reci- pes-for-kids)
GLOWING OUTDOOR PATHWAY
MATERIALS:
Old newspaper
Rocks
Glow-in-the-dark spray paint
Optional: Glow-in-the-dark puff paint, stickers, glitter
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Take a walk and collect some rocks. Scrape off dirt before starting. Tip: Too cold to be outside? Grab a bag of “river rocks” from your local craft or hardware store.
2. Cover workspace with newspaper pages. Coat rocks with spray paint—three times each, with at least 15 minutes between coats.
3. When dry, add glow-in-the-dark puff paint, stickers, or glitter to decorate. 4. Place under direct light to “charge.”
5. Make an indoor pathway to your Hanukkah menorah or an outdoor lane for vis- iting friends and family. Make sure to turn out other lights for a real treat!
Source: pjlibrary.org/getmedia/a626993a-1ec0-4ada-8480-b9fc669e1bea/ Hanukkah-Gowing-Pathway.pdf
HOW TO MAKE A CLAY CRAFT-STICK MENORAH
SUPPLIES:
Air-dry clay
Small bowl of water 9 craft sticks Acrylic paints
DIRECTIONS:
1. Cover your work surface with a plastic tablecloth.
2. Shape the clay however you like. Use water to smooth out cracks and help bind pieces of clay together.
3. Use a craft stick to create holes for the “candles.”
4. Put the shammash on a slightly higher piece of the menorah.
5. Paint the craft sticks to look like colorful candles with yellow flames at the top.
6. When your menorah has dried, you can paint it, too.
7. Add another “candle” to your menorah on each night of the holiday. Don’t forget the shammash!
Source: pjlibrary.org/beyond-books/pjblog/november-2019/how-to-make-a-clay-craft-stick-menorah
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HANUKKAH BABY
Written by Amy Pixton, Illustrated by Ekaterina Trukhan
Ages: 6 Months to 2 Years
Babies love the Indestructible board books—and so do parents. This offering in the series introduces the littlest readers to all the sights and sounds of a classic Hanukkah gathering.
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ANTLERS WITH CANDLES
Written by Chris Barash, Illustrated by Melissa Iwai
Ages: 3 to 4 Years
Even if children are too young to understand the history, everything looks new when seen from a child’s perspec- tive, including menorahs, dreidels and latkes. But family togetherness is something everyone understands.
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THE EIGHT KNIGHTS OF HANUKKAH
Written by Leslie Kimmelman, Illustrated by Galia Bernstein
Ages: 5 to 6 Years
The whole kingdom has gathered to celebrate Hanukkah—but a dastardly dragon keeps interrupting the festivities. Can the Eight Knights of Hanukkah set things right?
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NINTH NIGHT OF HANUKKAH
Written by Erica Perl, I llustrated by Shahar Kober
Ages: 6 to 7 Years
Max and Rachel have just moved—and they're looking forward to celebrating Hanukkah, but the box with their menorah is still in transit. For all eight nights of Hanukkah, they have to figure out other ways to make the holiday special.
Learn more about the many books PJ Library has offered at pjlibrary.org/books-and-music. Sign up your family to receive the gift of free books at pjlibrary.org/enroll-in-a-community.