Chanukkah, the festival of light and freedom, is one of the highlights of our year.  Usually on the Erev Shabbat during Chanukkah we congregate in the Schindler Hall, seated round the large table admiring all the different Chanukkiot that members have brought with them.

The evening begins with different families being asked to read parts of the service, leading to them each lighting one of the 8 candles on the large Synagogue Chanukkiah, whilst those who have brought their own Chanukiah also light their candles up to the correct number for that evening. Seeing all the candles alight on the table is a delight to behold.

Shabbat candles are then lit and the Erev Shabbat service proceeds.  Following the service we are able to enjoy a chavurah (bring & share) supper, this time coordinated to ensure there are not too many latkes and doughnuts, but nothing else!

The evening concludes with some form of entertainment, usually involving singing some songs led by one of our SPS musicians on the piano.

Previous years’ celebrations have included a lunch and party after the Shabbat morning service, a short playlet by the children in Ruach, a Chanukkah quiz, followed by afternoon tea, Havdalah, and concluding with the lighting of the appropriate number of Chanukkah candles on the large Synagogue Chanukkiah.