(see photos below)
The Community Shabbat Chanukah Dinner on December 19 had about 80 people in attendance, despite a bout of the flu that kept several families at home, said Betsy Schwartz, director of camps for the Jewish Community Center.
Families brought their own Chanukiyot to light at the tables and enjoyed a meal that included roasted chicken and, of course, latkes and jelly doughnuts.
Lia Benabou, 4, said she enjoys “Gerry’s latkes” the most. Her friend, Gabi Kronenberg, 9, agreed.
Emma Kronenberg, 14, said the latkes made the evening, despite her mother spilling lemonade all over her. She also raved about JCC cook Gerry Burns’ delicious chicken.
David Serchuck provided the evening’s entertainment on his guitar and sang Chanukah songs for the kids, while his daughter, Stella, 6, danced with a group of children.
Ali and Andrew Ignatow, hosts of the event, said the event was important because it brought people together from all different synagogues, and “it’s a wonderful thing for the kids,” Andrew Ignatow said. “Each family brought their own menorah and we said prayers and lit candles, then we feasted. It’s tradition for Chanukah and Shabbat.”
Charley Ignatow, 7, wore her dreidel headband and played dreidel with friends.
“People have told me that they liked it because it felt so haimish,” Schwartz said. “It was informal and fun, but an important way for Jewish families to gather and just be Jewish together.”
