Families Invited to Celebrate Hanukah with CHJ

Families throughout Fairfield County are invited to celebrate Hanukah with the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism (CHJ). The Hanukah program starts at 10:30 AM on Sunday, December 8 at Bedford Middle School, 88 North Avenue, Westport. The morning will begin with a service celebrating the traditions and stories of Hanukah from a humanistic perspective. Special guests Rayhan and Ada Pasternak will share their musical talents by leading the service and providing musical accompaniment. Rayhan will also teach Israeli folk dancing after the service. Children from CHJ’s Sunday School will participate in readings, songs, and candle lighting. A party featuring delicious food (including plenty of latkes), arts & crafts, and games will round out the morning. 

Hanukah falls early this year, with the first night before Thanksgiving. We’ll keep the fun going a little longer and have our party on the 8th, the following weekend. “This is a great opportunity to see our Sunday School in action,” says Beth Ulman of Fairfield, Director of the Sunday School. “Visitors will experience the unique nature of Humanistic Judaism in the familiar setting of a traditional holiday celebration.” Come celebrate and eat the traditional potato pancakes made at Hanukah! 

The CHJ Sunday School provides a contemporary Jewish education for children in kindergarten through Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Children learn about Jewish holidays, history, literature, and traditions of the Jewish people in a warm, participatory environment. The curriculum is enriched by inclusion of Hebrew, music, art, dance, and crafts topics. Jewish and Humanistic values and their relation to interpersonal, social and environmental issues are explored in all areas of the curriculum.  Small class size fosters involvement and learning. A supervised preschool playgroup is open to younger siblings 0-5 years of age. Sunday School registration is ongoing.

In addition to the Sunday School, the Congregation has a full calendar of activities for adults including Jewish holiday celebrations, a wide array of Friday and Saturday night and Sunday morning programs, discussion groups, and a book group.

Jewish and Interfaith families interested in learning about the Congregation are invited to attend this Hanukah celebration. Let us know to expect you by calling (203) 226-5451. To learn more about the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, its programs, and to see a full calendar of upcoming events check the website: www.humanisticjews.org.  To learn more about the CHJ Sunday School program, email sundayschool@humanisticjews.org.