Her husband’s cousin, Katya Bratslavsky, told Petlakh she had just bought a home in Boynton Beach.

“Which community?” asked Petlakh.

“Lakeridge Greens,” answered Bratslavsky.

What a coincidence, that was where Petlakh’s grandparents used to live.

“Which street?” It was the same street.

“Which house?” No. Impossible. Could it really be her grandparents’ longtime, beloved home?

It sure was.

“I was shaking, out of pure joy, because this house carries so much of my childhood inside its doors,” said Petlakh, 33, who lives in Bellmore, N.Y. “It feels like life has come full circle, so serendipitously.”

The home was formerly owned by Petlakh’s grandparents, Shirley and Milton Kushner, snowbirds from New Jersey who had bought it brand-new in 1996. It was filled with tender memories for Petlakh, who loved swimming in the neighborhood pool, eating with her grandparents at the kitchen table and sleeping on a cot in the second bedroom.

“I spent countless summers there growing up, making memories that would stay with me forever,” she said. “They had no idea how deeply it would root itself in our family’s history.”

Petlakh’s grandfather died in 2005. His wife stayed in the home for 20 more years until shortly before she died, at 99, in February 2025. Petlakh said her final goodbye to her grandmother in the house, as Shirley Kushner sat on her favorite chair in her bedroom, overlooking her beloved patio.

“I knew that this was the end of one of my childhood core memories,” Petlakh said.

Petlakh said her mother and her mother’s sister had trouble selling the house because it had fallen into disrepair.

Shirley Kushner suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and neither Kushner nor her aide was able to maintain it. Water damage and black mold were among several problems that hadn’t been addressed.

Petlakh’s mother and aunt sold the house to a contractor who fixed the problems and renovated it, taking down walls to create an open floor plan and adding a bedroom and a large granite counter in the kitchen.

The house sold quickly, and Petlakh hoped the future owners would love it as she did. A teacher and mother of a 3-year-old son, she decided it was time to move on.

When Bratslavsky delivered the stunning news, memories began to flood back for Petlakh.

Bratslavsky said she was equally emotional.

“It’s like when you’re a little kid and you find a treasure,” said Bratslavsky, an artist and mother of three who lives in Syracuse, N.Y.

Bratslavsky said she and her husband had been looking for a home in Boynton Beach to be closer to his parents. Her husband found the Lakeridge Greens house online and she said she loved it for its contemporary look, new appliances and big patio.

“You could tell someone put a lot of work into this house,” she said.

Bratslavsky discovered one remnant of the Kushner home had survived the renovation: a mezuzah, a little case containing biblical verses affixed to the doorposts of Jewish homes, at the front door.

She removed it and mailed it to Petlakh. She told her cousin to keep it as a family memento and to buy Bratslavsky a new one, which Petlakh has already done.

Petlakh placed her grandparents’ mezuzah in a box of family heirlooms she keeps in her attic. She traveled to the Bratslavskys’ Boynton Beach home in December, the first time she had been back since her grandmother died.

Bratslavsky said she has told the Petlakhs to visit any time and to treat the home like it’s theirs.

“I’m so deeply touched to be able to keep enjoying this beautiful home, not just as a visitor, but with family once again,” Petlakh said.

The slate of movies, red carpets, receptions, talks and meet-and-greets will continue to be staged mostly in Boca Raton and Delray Beach but there will also be a showing in Lake Worth Beach and a series of screenings in Deerfield Beach.

Les Rich — who co-founded the festival along with Wendy Honig and Arleen Roberts — says, “This year we’re going to expand to Deerfield. It’s kind of an experiment, but we’re going on five days in Deerfield at the Paragon Theater. They renovated the theater and it’s really good and I think we’ll do very well there. And maybe we’ll expand beyond that. I mean someday maybe we will change the name to the Florida International Jewish Film Festival.”

The schedule and ticket prices are available at JFilmBoca.org.

Screenings will take place:

• Feb. 21-28 at Cinemark Bistro Boca Raton and XD
• March 1-15 at Movies of Delray
• March 18-22 at Paragon Theater Deerfield

PROLOGUE

That’s not all that is happening. Even though the festival runs Feb. 21-March 22, there are some big events jumping off in January, including a sneak peek Big Reveal on Jan. 14 at the Movies at Delray.

“We do this every year … for free, we have the Big Reveal,” Rich explains. “People come, they can see trailers of all the different films that we’re going to show in the festival. And our patrons go and they choose which film they want to sponsor and we give the patrons first dibs on what films they want to go to. And then thereafter, like a week or two later, we’ll open for ticket sales to the general public.”

There will also be a Cinebash Opening Celebration on Jan. 26 at The Wick Theatre & Museum Club in Boca Raton.

“We’re going to have a dinner and we’re going to show the world premiere of a film called ‘Tovah’ about Tovah Feldshuh,” Rich says. “And at this event Tova Feldshuh will be coming and we’re going to give her a Lifetime Achievement Award. It’s going to be a really big event at the Wick Theatre. They’re intending to make a big national event out of it. It’s a really, really good documentary by a filmmaker named David Serero. So David Serero is also a famous opera singer. And I will try to get between David and Tovah to do a little singing together. That’s my goal.”

CLOSE-UP ON THE FEELINGS

Along those lines, nurturing the community is the main goal of the motion picture celebration, explains Honig.

“One of the things that we do with the festival is we entertain, we educate, we inspire,” she says “Okay, that’s all good. So do most film festivals. The one thing that we do that sets us apart from other festivals is that we embrace community. We know that there’s a need for events, parties, get-togethers, eating together, being together, and it’s really terrific when that happens because we’re building community and relationships.

It’s one thing when you just show a movie. I can show a movie and you go to the movie quietly with your popcorn and then you leave. We’re not like that. It’s a very different feeling. They get to meet and greet with movie stars, with different speakers.”

Another thing they are bringing back is the Movie Shorts Program, which will be on Feb. 1 at Movies of Delray

“We have a short film competition and people vote for which short film they like the best,” Rich explains. “And this year it’s a really good selection of short films that we have.”

Honig adds, “During COVID Les created the largest program of Jewish short films to keep people entertained. And I think to this very day, it probably is the largest of all online Jewish short films programs.”

OPENING CREDITS

Rich remembers that the trio has been involved in producing film festivals here in South Florida for decades.

“Wendy actually started many, many years ago,” he recalls. “Probably almost for 20 years now. She started up in Palm Beach. She worked at the Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival. Then Wendy and I worked at the Palm Beach International Film Festival many years ago.”

• Honig and Rich ran a Jewish sidebar showcase at the Palm Beach International Film Festival, which shut down in 2017.
• Then from 2017-2023 they ran the Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival at the Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center. That festival has been rebranded and is run by the JCC.
• Honig also ran two screening committees of the Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival, one in Boynton Beach and one in Palm Beach Gardens.
• Arleen Roberts was on the Screening Committee at Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival, Palm Beach International Film Festival and all the versions of the Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival. When the Boca International Jewish Film Festival started in 2024, she became a director.

“There’s a tremendous amount of people moving into the South Florida area,” Honig adds. “They’re moving into Boca, they’re moving in all over the place. If you go to downtown Boca, you realize how many people are moving in. There is such a great need for them to have a festival like this. You know, not everyone plays golf, not everyone plays pickleball. There are people that really love this and love coming together and meeting people and making friends and having parties and doing events together.

I think it’s a very important thing. So for the very nominal fee of a ticket, they get to come in and they get to see these speakers and the movie stars and make friends. It’s just such a wonderful time.”

HOT FLICKS PICKS

Here are, in no particular order, just a few of Honig and Rich’s BIJFF highlights.

“ADA: MY MOTHER THE ARCHITECT”

Honig — “We are 501c3 and we give money to Jewish and Israeli charities. And one of the charities that has partnered with us is The Technion, which is the technical university in (Haifa) Israel. We will be having a film called ‘Ada: My Mother The Architect.’ And Ada graduated from The Technion and Ada’s daughter made the film and … will be at the film (screening). And also we’ll have a speaker from Technion speaking. And afterwards they’re doing a dessert buffet at the theater.”

“LUCKY STAR” AND “LOST IN TERRITORIES”

Honig — “We also have a lot of comedies. And this year, I have two that I really love. One is called ‘Lucky Star.’ It’s a French film (titled ‘La Bonne Étoile’). And the other one is ‘Lost in Territories.’ It’s hilarious.”

“PARTING THE WATERS”

Rich — “We’ve got a film about … Michele Kuvin Kupfer, an Israeli Olympic swimmer. She’s originally from Palm Beach, Florida. It’s called ‘Parting the Waters.’ So that’s another film that’s going to be very, very popular.”

“LABORS OF LOVE: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF HENRIETTA SZOLD”

Honig — “We have five showings of ‘Labors of Love: The Life and Legacy of Henrietta Szold.’ Henrietta Szold founded (Jewish women’s service organization) Hadassah. You probably know of Hadassah Medical Center in Israel. But more than that … she founded nursing in Israel, midwifery, she had a thousands of children from Germany (and Nazi-occupied Europe) brought over to the Youth Aliyah program. They would put up children … in kibbutzes. So it was really fantastic, saved their lives. Henrietta Szold was amazing. But I’m going to tell you what makes it exciting. The filmmaker will be there for two of the showings. And the filmmaker is Abby Ginzberg.”

Honig says that Ginzberg is the granddaughter of the love of Szold’s life, who married another woman. “The granddaughter decided to make this film about the person who loved her grandfather. And what she says, which is really, I think, pretty wonderful is, if Henrietta Szold had married her grandfather, she’d be making matzo ball soup. She’d be, you know, cooking and cleaning. Instead, she changed the world.”

Rich adds, “The Hadassahs are going to put on a big Hadassah event. That’s going to be March 1st and March 2nd. It’s going to be in Movies of Delray and Movies of Lake Worth. So that’s going to be a very big event because the Hadassahs are huge in Southern Florida. They are really going to be flocking to this film.”

“AARON SAPIRO: THE JEW WHO SUED HENRY FORD”

Honig — “So … that is something Jews don’t know about. There was a Jew that sued Henry Ford, I didn’t know this. And (Ford) had to shut down his anti-Semitic, The Dearborn Observer. I think he also had to shut down one of his plants and he had to issue a public apology. Everyone knows that Henry Ford was antisemitic, but they didn’t know about this one courageous man, who was a lawyer, stood up and actually won.”

Rich  — “We’re having Robert Watson…he’s a local professor … from Lynn University. So he’ll … be discussing the film, antisemitism and the historical context and be interviewing the filmmaker Gaylen Ross. That’s what we do. We get speakers, some of them are local, some of them national. We’re more and more trying to get the speakers to come in, just to add some interest to all the films.”

“JERUSALEM ’67”

Honig — ” ‘Jerusalem ’67’ is the first feature film about the Six-Day War in Israel. The film is about a woman, who was sort of a hero, that fought in the war. She was the first, or one of the first women, who were able to pray at The Wailing Wall. Usually the men were there. She was very courageous; had to choose between her kids and the war and she rolled up her sleeves and went to war.”

“THE EVERYTHING POT”

Rich — “Our closing film, which we’ll be announcing fairly soon, we’re going to have a star — Lisa Edelstein. It’s a film called ‘The Everything Pot’ and that’s going to be our closing film at the Movies of Delray. And ‘The Everything Pot’ is a comedy. Do you remember the show ‘House’ on television? He was a doctor. He had a girlfriend; That was Lisa Edelstein.”

Honig — “So ‘The Everything Pot’ is a zany, quirky movie … where this woman, she gets an invitation to a wedding of a former person that she worked with that was much younger than her. And Linda’s (character) is happily married at this point in the film. She buys the (wedding couple) an everything pot. The wedding is canceled and they want their pot back. At one point she climbs over a fence … trying to get the pot back and she falls into their yard. It’s very cute.”

And since Hanukkah is a time for celebration and remembering the miracles of the past, organizations throughout South Florida honored these survivors during the holiday season — hosting events for them to gather, enjoy and revel in community support.

Child Survivors/Hidden Children of the Holocaust, a Palm Beach County-based nonprofit group, hosted a luncheon for survivors on Dec. 7 that highlighted Jewish culture with music and words. About 100 people filled the venue, an audience of young and old, at the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County in Boca Raton.

“We should be proud of the environment we’ve made in Boca and in South Palm Beach County,” Igor Alterman, the federation’s president and CEO, told the audience. “[And] continue to be proud Jews.”

Among the guests of honor was Herman Haller, 101, the oldest survivor in the group, who recited the Hamotzi in front of the crowd before cutting the challah with the support of his daughter, Heidi.

Student volunteers from Donna Klein Jewish Academy were on-hand to help, and one, sophomore Rachael Elisha, spoke on the importance of mitzvot and giving back.

“Even the smallest actions can spark a light around us,” she said.

Other celebrations

Also on Dec. 7, Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS) and Miami-Dade Holocaust Survivors Inc. held their annual luncheon called Café Europa at Beth Torah Synagogue in North Miami Beach. Café Europa is part of The Claims Conference, which provides support to social agencies across the world. The name is a nod to a cafe in Stockholm that became known as a landing spot for survivors to find family and friends after World War II.

This year, 70 survivors were in attendance to dance, celebrate and connect. One was Malka Horwitz, who at 109 is Miami-Dade County’s oldest known living survivor.

Anna Grobman, 93, recalled attending similar gatherings with her late husband, a fellow Holocaust survivor.

“It means a lot,” Grobman said. “Coming here reminds us of all the people who were affected by the war. I like coming because I used to dance with my husband and it’s a lot of fun.”

Over 150 Holocaust survivors gathered at a similar Café Europa event on Dec. 15 at B’nai Torah Congregation in Boca Raton, hosted by Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services (Rales JFS). This year, three centenarians were in attendance.

“All of these survivors understand the pain and suffering of terrible tragedies, but when we come together for events like this, it proves that we can bring light into this world,” said Danielle Hartman, president and CEO of Rales JFS. “In a time when recent global tragedies remind us of the importance of unity and resilience, Café Europa stands as a powerful testament to the strength of community and the enduring value of tradition.”

Elsewhere in Palm Beach County, Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service (Alpert JFS) hosted 90 survivors and their guests for an “Eat and Schmooze” event. The Dec. 17 lunch at Temple Beth Tikvah in Greenacres included traditional Hanukkah dishes and entertainment.

“‘Eat and Schmooze’ offered us an opportunity to shine a light on those who endured humanity’s darkest days,” said Elaine Rotenberg, chief clinical and impact officer at Alpert JFS. “Their resilience serves as a powerful reminder of why we must confront hate and antisemitism, stand proudly in our Jewish identity, and support one another as a community.”

M4K matches children ages 6 to 14 with adult mentors who offer friendship and support in the absence or loss of a caregiver.

This holiday season, the program gifted 75 children with items they wished for. They opened their gifts during a holiday event held at Alpert JFS in West Palm Beach that featured dinner, crafts, and fun activities.

“This program is especially important around the holidays when our families feel it most and worry about buying gifts for their children,” said Lyndora Frazier, Director of the M4K program at Alpert JFS. “Eighty-five percent of our MFK families face food insecurity, and 90 percent have housing concerns. This program truly brightens the kids’ holidays and makes life less stressful for the parents.”

Currently, the program is looking for male mentors. If you are interested in becoming a mentor, or want to enroll your child in the M4K program, visit alpertJFS.org.

To honor their commitment to Israel and its safety, B’nai Torah Congregation in Boca Raton hosted an event on Dec. 9 for American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA). The event, which featured actress and activist, Patricia Heaton, raised funds for MDA, specifically to help support a fleet of rescue vehicles, training and equipment for paramedics and EMT’s in Israel. Funds also helped support the Marcus Blood Center in Israel.

“I can only imagine how these incredible volunteers from every religious background who serve in Magen David Adom bear their burden. How they process the trauma while being of service to their countrymen and women is quite astonishing,” Heaton said during the event.

Heaton is a Christian who has created O7C, a movement against antisemitism. She was honored with the Eternal Light Award during the event, commemorating her support for Israel and its people. Stephanie and Joel Markel of Boca Raton also announced that they donated a blood donation center at the soon-to-be-constructed MDA Ramot Be’er Sheva Emergency Medical Services Station.

The signature event welcomed a sold-out crowd of 650 people. The authors discussed their shared vision for supporting Jewish authors and the importance of literary events.

The luncheon is part of the year-round programming provided by the Levis JCC Sandler Center and its Myrna Lippman Literary Season.

“Each year, this luncheon reminds us of the power of storytelling to connect, uplift and inspire,” said Stephanie Owitz, vice president of arts, culture & learning at the Sandler Center. “We are grateful to our authors for sharing their insights and to our community for showing up in such meaningful numbers.”

For more information, visit levisjcc.org/culture.

When the South Florida Sun Sentinel asked readers to share pictures of their menorahs, we suspected that the local Jewish community was home to an abundance of these precious objects, some classical and passed down through the generations; others, contemporary works of art bursting with color and energy.

But who knew? We didn’t realize how many would come with emotion-laden stories, of vulnerable moments, cherished relationships and dogged efforts to preserve spiritual legacies.

Jewish homes are often filled with sacred items, ranging from mezuzahs to dreidels to Seder plates. But read below about the particular joy brought by these South Florida menorahs, which have made impressions deep in their owners’ souls.

Rescued from Hurricane Katrina

Boca Raton residents Robert and Fran Lenter feel an intimate bond with their brass menorah: Robert rescued it from a mound of rubble at Congregation Beth Israel in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Their family had been members of the synagogue for four generations; Fran’s father was president for seven years.

After the waters subsided, Robert, a freelance photographer, trudged through the destruction and encountered the remains of the historic Orthodox congregation. Its seven Torah scrolls and thousands of prayer books were ruined.

“I saw a shining object buried in the muddy rubble,” he said. “I carefully made it over, reached down and dug it out, not knowing what it could be. It was a small brass menorah.”

Robert said it was the same menorah, with two Lions of Judah holding up the Ten Commandments, that his wife had lit as a child in the synagogue’s Sunday school.

“Since Katrina 20 years ago, I can safely say with all my heart and soul that God led me to Beth Israel to retrieve it,” he said.

A moose for a Brown

Some menorahs seem to represent their owners perfectly. In Stephanie Brown’s family, each member lights a menorah inspired by their interests, such as baseball or fire trucks or motorcycles or shoes.

Brown’s sisters bought her a moose menorah for her birthday 25 years ago because of her love for the antlered animals; she has a moose nightshirt, a mug and a wall-mounted moose head coat rack. She has seen several of the enormous mammals during trips with her family to Park City, Utah.

“They saw the menorah there and knew it was so me,” the Boynton Beach resident said. “I’ve been lighting it at Hanukkah ever since.”

‘One of a kind’

Rabbi Greg Weisman of Temple Beth El in Boca Raton and his family feel linked with previous generations through their menorah, which was built by Weisman’s great-grandfather, Jacob Cutler.

An artist born in Ukraine in 1904, Cutler used whatever materials he came across to craft his pieces. Weisman said Cutler made several menorahs, including one that measured at least 8 feet high and was placed atop a Los Angeles synagogue.

The Weismans’ colorful and whimsical candelabrum is about 22 inches high, with a big arch resting on a smaller arch made of wood, colored stones and yellow yarn.

“People have seen pictures of it on social media and asked me where they could get one like it, and with a proud smile I tell them that it’s one of a kind,” Weisman said.

All below will be aglow

Whether a menorah is one of a kind or mass-produced, it is almost guaranteed to inspire comfort as an additional candle is lit each night. Take a look at these beautiful works of art owned by our fellow South Floridians and know that all will be aflame over eight evenings in the coming days, creating a glow of Jewish connection across South Florida, the United States and the world.

The oldest conservative synagogue in Palm Beach County officially was established in 1926, marking 100 years since its inception. To commemorate this centennial milestone, Beth El is pulling out all the stops — and they aren’t waiting until the new year to get started.

Events will begin during Hanukkah this year and conclude during Hanukkah 2026.

Starting off strong, the temple will host internationally acclaimed musician Matisyahu on Thursday, Dec. 18, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The temple promises an intimate performance with a Q&A session to follow. Admission is free, but advanced registration is required. For an elevated experience, VIP packages are available for $360 and include a meet-and-greet with the singer, catered reception and premium seating. To register, visit bethelwpb.com/100/Matisyahu.

On Dec. 25 at 4 p.m., the Jewish a cappella group, The Maccabeats, will perform holiday hits great for all ages. Tickets start at $36 for children age 12 and younger and $54 for adults, with an optional add-on for a post-performance dinner. Tickets can be purchased at bethelwpb.com/100/Maccabeats.

As the new year begins, community members can look forward to a show by comedian and actor Michael Rapaport on Feb. 5, and a gala celebration on March 1.

“Reaching our 100th year is not only a celebration of our past, but a commitment to the vibrant Jewish future we continue to build together,” said Temple Beth El Rabbi Alan Bell. “We look forward to welcoming the entire community to join us as we honor a century of light, faith and resilience.”

For more information on the 100th anniversary, visit bethelwpb.com/100.

Bring the family to a preholiday fest before lighting the candles at home, or light them together with other Jews during community-wide menorah lightings.

Festivities start in the afternoon on Sunday and continue throughout the eight nights. So, whip out your favorite Hanukkah-themed sweaters, get your dreidels ready and prepare for a festive holiday.

Below, find holiday events happening throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties.

BROWARD COUNTY

Las Olas Chabad Jewish Center’s Grand Chanukah Festival

Start your celebrations early with the Grand Chanukah Festival on Las Olas. With everything from face painting and a petting zoo to mechanical rides and music, kids of all ages will enjoy the preholiday event. A menorah lighting is scheduled for 4 p.m.

WHEN: 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14

WHERE: Las Olas Chabad Jewish Center, 1302 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale

COST: $25 for children ages 2-16 (includes unlimited rides), free for adults

INFORMATION: jewishfl.org/events/festival

Chabad of Coconut Creek’s Chanukah Celebration

Starting at 5 p.m., the Promenade at Coconut Creek will have feature entertainment (including fire jugglers!), traditional jelly donuts, and kids’ crafts before a communitywide candle lighting to commemorate the first night of Hannukah.

WHEN: 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14

WHERE: Promenade at Coconut Creek, 4467 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek

COST: Free

INFORMATION: promenadeatcoconutcreek.com/events

Fort Lauderdale’s Menorah Lighting Celebration

Head to Las Olas for a traditional menorah lighting. Hanukkah music will bring a festive air to the event, as community members recite blessings and join together to welcome in the Jewish holiday.

WHEN: 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14

WHERE: Las Olas Oceanside Park, 3000 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale

COST: Free

INFORMATION: parks.fortlauderdale.gov/special-events

46th annual South Florida Chanukah Festival

Revel in the final night of Hanukkah with the South Florida Chanukah Festival, hosted by Chabad of South Broward. Billed as “South Florida’s largest Jewish concert,” the event features musicians such as Avraham Fried, Zusha and Joey Newcomb.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21

WHERE: Rick Case Arena, 3051 Ray Ferrero Jr Blvd., Davie

COST: Tickets start at $20

INFORMATION: chabadsouthbroward.com

PALM BEACH COUNTY

Mega Chanukah Street Fair

Chabad of Greater Boynton Beach and its early childhood education program, Beit Blumi, will join forces to host the annual Mega Chanukah Street Fair.  A boutique will be on-site for your last-minute shopping needs, plus an obstacle course, BMX bike show, petting zoo, rock climbing wall, carnival swings, and a large gelt drop for the kids.

WHEN: 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14

WHERE: Chabad-Lubavitch of Greater Boynton Beach, 10655 El Clair Ranch Road, Boynton Beach

COST: Suggested donation of $36 per family

INFORMATION: chabadboynton.com/megachanukah

B’nai Torah Hanukkah Celebration

B’nai Torah Congregation in Boca Raton is celebrating the joy of the season with an event for all ages. A DJ-led dance party will be accompanied by Hanukkah characters, games and activities. There also will be holiday-inspired bites.

WHEN: 4.p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14

WHERE: B’nai Torah Congregation, 6261 SW 18th St, Boca Raton

COST: $15 per person, $45 per family

INFORMATION: btcboca.org/event

Chanukah Festival and Menorah Lighting

Old School Square in Delray Beach will play host to this annual festival on the first night of Hanukkah. Join Chabad of East Delray and the city in celebrating, with sufganiyot, latkes and cotton candy, plus bounce houses, glitter tattoos and a giant bubble show following the 6 p.m. menorah lighting.

WHEN: 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14

WHERE: Amphitheatre at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach

COST: Free

INFORMATION: delrayoldschoolsquare.com/events

Hanukkah Celebration at Juno Beach Town Center

If you’re looking to spice up your nightly menorah routine, head to Juno Beach Town Center for the third night to light candles with the community and enjoy a sampling of traditional Hanukkah foods.

WHEN: 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16

WHERE: Juno Beach Town Center, 340 Ocean Drive

COST: Bring a festive food to share

INFORMATION:: juno-beach.fl.us/community

PJ Library Light Up the 4th night of Chanukah

Join PJ Library and the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County for a festive fourth night at Boca Center. Start the evening with crafts and storytime at 5 p.m., followed by a candle lighting and live concert featuring Rock N’ Roll Rabbi David Paskin.

WHEN: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17

WHERE: Boca Center, 5150 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton

COST: Free

INFORMATION: jewishboca.org/events

Chanukah at Boynton Beach City Hall

This community-wide event aims to amplify Jewish solidarity and pride. The inaugural event will feature a fire show, music and refreshments as well as the official lighting of the city menorah.

WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18

WHERE: Centennial Park & Ampitheater, 120 E. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach

COST: Free

INFORMATION: chabadboynton.com/cityhallrsvp

Palm Beach Synagogue West’s Hanukkah Celebration

At this point, the holiday will be coming to a close, but the community celebrations continue! Head to CityPlace for a festive event featuring live music, doughnuts and latkes.

WHEN: 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19

WHERE: CityPlace, 700 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach

COST: Free

INFORMATION: cityplace.com/west-palm-beach-events

Chanukah at Delray Marketplace

Close out the holiday at Delray Marketplace with its giant ice menorah. Sip on hot cocoa and apple cider while enjoying a Hebrew school choir and firetruck gelt drop. There will also be a Hanukkah-themed sensory play area for babies, bounce houses, latkes and doughnuts.

WHEN: 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21

WHERE: Delray Marketplace Amphitheater, 9025 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach

COST: Suggested donation of $36 per family

INFORMATION: delrayjewish.org

Friendship House is led by executive director Rabbi Sholom Kessler. He founded the program in 2020 within Chabad of Boca Raton with the goal of building an inclusive community. The Friendship House currently serves about 70 local families, with hopes to expand.

More than 30 riders participated this year, allowing Friendship House to raise over $55,000. All proceeds from the bike ride will help them continue to host year-round programming for young adults and children. Kessler also sees the ride as a chance for the community to learn more about the group and get involved.

Rabbi Shneur Kaplan of Fort Lauderdale led the riders in prayer before they embarked on the 60-mile journey. They returned to cheers of support from family, friends, and Friendship House participants, followed by a celebratory BBQ.

For more info about Friendship House, visit bocafriendship.com.