Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025
Time: 4:00-5:00pm (Chanukkah Craft In-Person) 5:15-7:30pm PT (Hybrid Party)
Member Ticket Price: FREE (Members, look for an email with a special registration link)
Non-Member Ticket Price: $18+ . No one Turned Away for Lack of Funds. Email lia@beyttikkun.org for a discounted ticket.
Format: Channukah Craft In-Person Only & Chanukkah Party Hybrid (In person & on Zoom)
Location: Berkeley Fellowship Unitarian Universalist (1606 Bonita Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709) & Zoom
In a time marked by liberation movements, spiritual searching, and deep challenges to justice and peace, Chanukah invites us to gather, reflect, and reconnect. Rooted in a Jewish struggle against oppression, the holiday also reminds us of the dangers of chauvinism and internal division. Our celebration uplifts the liberatory spirit of Chanukah while drawing on the rabbinic reframing of the holiday as a time of spiritual renewal.
Join us as we explore: How can we hold the complexities of Chanukah and learn from its history today?
Schedule:
4:00–5:00 PM — Oil Menorah-Making Workshop (In Person Only)
5:15–7:15 PM — Chanukah Celebration (Hybrid)
Hands on Chanukah Activities with Rabbi Lynn: DIY Oil Menorah (4:00pm – 5:00pm) – IN-PERSON ONLY
Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb will lead an hour of playful engagement with Chanukah through oil menorah making, dreidel playing, and storytelling.
Join us for a hands-on, heart-centered menorah-making workshop that connects craft, culture, and meaning. Families, kids, and people of all ages are invited to create their own oil menorahs using jars, wicks, and Palestinian olive oil—a material that carries deep significance both in the land of Palestine and in the story of Chanukah.
Olive oil has long been a symbol of resilience, abundance, and connection to land. In Palestinian life, it remains a cornerstone of agriculture, culture, and livelihood. In Jewish tradition, olive oil is the heart of the Chanukah story—a reminder of persistence, renewal, and the miracle of light.
In this workshop, we’ll explore these connections while crafting a menorah that you can take home and use throughout the holiday.
We will provide:
-
Palestinian olive oil for your candles
-
Guidance, sample designs, and support
You will bring:
A simple supply list will be sent after you register (small jars, wicks, and a surface to place your menorah).
This activity invites us to tend to small flames of hope, honor the land and its stories, and root our celebration in justice, creativity, and community.
Chanukah Celebration (5:15–7:15 PM PT) -ONLINE & IN-PERSON
Candle Lighting & Storytelling
Honoring the Chanukah story with attention to liberation, justice, and nonviolence.
**We’ll have candle menorahs for folks to light and you’re invited to bring their own!**
Teaching: Oil, Palestine & Chanukah
Exploring the symbolism of oil—both in the Chanukah story and in Palestine—through a lens of resilience, resource, and renewal.
Song & Spirit
Communal singing and blessings to mark this holiday
Latkes & Treats
Enjoy delicious latkes and festive snacks.
**Bring a vegetarian potluck item for us to share!**
Accessibility
-
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
-
Seating: Plastic chairs with backs; standing room available
-
Masking: Optional
-
Ventilation: Windows open for airflow
-
Parking: Street parking available
For questions or accessibility needs, please email marissa@beyttikkun.org
HOW TO REGISTER:
1. For free member tickets, look in your email for a special link to register for free. If you are a member and do not see the link, email lia@beyttikkun.org
2. If you are not currently a member and want to receive member tickets, you can learn more and become a member here.
3. To purchase non-member tickets, select a type of ticket below. You can join online or in-person for only the Chanukkah Party or in-person for The Chanukkah Craft Workshop AND Chanukkah Party.