In the Greater Community

Stanford Medicine Celebrates Chanukah, The Festival of Lights
Daily Candle Lighting at 4:00 PM, Sunday, December 14-Sunday, December 21 at the Entrance to the Johnson Family Wellness Center, 500 Pasteur Drive, 3rd Floor, Palo Alto

Bring some light and healing into the world! This event is sponsored by: Stanford Health Care Spiritual Care Services; Stanford Medicine Children’s Health
Spiritual Care Services; Jewish Family & Children's Services. LEARN MORE

Mostly Kosher: A Hanukkah Celebration Live Music Show!
Sunday, December 14, 5:00–6:30 PM, OFJCC, Palo Alto
Kick off Chanukah with a bang at the most epic First Night celebration around—most enjoyed by ages 10 and up! There will be candle lighting, stacks of gooey, sugary sufganiyot, and a live show by the one-and-only Mostly Kosher —they’ll have you clapping, singing and smiling all night long! It’s the Hanukkah party you don’t want to miss! LEARN MORE

Fun Friday: Light Up Your Senses
Friday, December 12, 4:00 PM, OFJCC, Palo Alto
Join in collaboration with Darling Doodle for a light-filled festive afternoon of crafting, sensory play and light exploration that will inspire your child's creativity! Have fun exploring different-textures with engaging sensory bins for little ones to touch, imagine and create, together! LEARN MORE & REGISTER

Chanukah Party for Families
Saturday, December 13, 4:30 PM, OFJCC, Palo Alto
Celebrate Hanukkah at a Special Glow in the Dark Family Event! Join us for a magical, light-filled Hanukkah celebration at the OFJCC in Palo Alto, where we'll spread light, chase away the darkness and enjoy a variety of fun activities for all ages! LEARN MORE

Foster City Community Candle Lighting & Celebration
Wednesday, December 17, 6:00 PM, Boothbay Park Mini-Amphitheatre, Foster City
Join JCRC Bay Area, Peninsula Sinai Congregation, the Peninsula Jewish Community Center, Wornick Jewish Day School and Jewish Family & Children's Services SF at the Boothbay Park Mini-Amphitheatre in Foster City, for a family-friendly community candle lighting and gathering with donuts, dreidels, music, latkes and more. Special song session with Rabbi Cantor Doron Shapira!
REGISTER

Meet Noa Argamani: 
A Story of Hope and Miracles
Tuesday, December 16, 7:00 PM, OJFCC, Palo Alto
On October 7, 2023, Noa Argamani was abducted by Hamas during the Re'im music festival massacre, part of the October 7 attacks. In one of the first Hamas videos released of the massacre, she was seen being taken away on a motorcycle as she yelled, "Don't kill me!" Her arms were outstretched toward her boyfriend Avinatan Or, who was also kidnapped. The footage of her kidnapping became a symbol of the hostage crisis and led to Argamani being described as "the face of the Nova music festival hostages".

On June 8, 2024, after 245 days in captivity, Argamani and three other hostages were rescued from Gaza in a joint operation by the Israel Defense Force, Shin Bet, and the Israel Police. She was subsequently reunited with her family, three weeks before her mother's death. After her rescue, Argamani became an activist for the hostages who remained held in Gaza. PURCHASE TICKETS

Chanukah All School Open House
Wednesday, December 17, 4:30-6:30PM
Yavne Jewish Day School, Los Gatos
All current and prospective families are invited to celebrate the 4th night of Chanukah with Yavneh Day School. RSVP to:

• Visit classrooms
• Meet  teachers and staff
• Light Chanukah candles & sing songs
• Create Chanukkah crafts 
• Explore hands-on learning
• Enjoy a science show about light and fire
• Savor light refreshments & Chanukah treats