Chanukah Festivities begin on Dec. 16, 2014.

Submitted by Larah Winn, Mandell JCC

Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights, is just around the corner and the Mandell JCC is ready to celebrate, with free fun for the family, including readings, candle lightings, tastings, and hands-on activities to celebrate Chanukah at various locations throughout Greater Hartford and at the Mandell JCC, Zachs Campus, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT.

Chanukah 2014 at the Mandell JCC begins on Tuesday, Dec. 16 with daily candle lighting ceremonies at 4:30 p.m. through Tuesday, Dec. 23 (Friday, Dec. 19, candle lighting is at 3:30 pm).

Make your own wooden Menorah on Tuesday, Dec. 16, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Sample various traditional and new potato pancake recipes at the Annual Latke Throwdown, Wednesday, Dec. 17, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Enjoy Chanukah Cookie Decorating on Monday, Dec. 22, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Children can make their own lego Menorahs on Tuesday, Dec. 23, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Other Mandell JCC events throughout the Greater Hartford area include: Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., celebrate world holiday traditions at the Wadsworth Atheneum at Second Saturdays for Families. Sunday, Dec. 21, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. it’s all about Chanukah family fun at the Valley Sports Center in Canton, with games in the gym, Chanukah stories, crafts and lighting of the menorah. Throughout Chanukah, PJ Library of Greater Hartford will also be offering story times at Barnes & Noble in Canton on Dec. 16, at 1 a.m., Blue Back Square on Dec. 17 at 10:30 a.m., and Glastonbury on Dec. 18, at 10:30 a.m.

With the exception of Chanukah Family Fun Night, all events are free and open to the community. Chanukah Family Fun Night is $15 per family and rsvp is required by Dec. 17, to Elana Macgilpin, [email protected].

For more information on the Mandell JCC’s free Chanukah events, contact Elana Macgilpin [email protected], 860-231-6327 or visit www.mandelljcc.org. For news and updates, follow the Mandell JCC on Facebook and Twitter.

The Mandell Jewish Community Center is open to everyone and supported by funds raised by the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, a recipient of funding from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford, and a member of the JCC Association of North America. All dates and programs subject to change.