This year Hanukkah begins on the evening of December 25, 2024 and ends at nightfall on January 2, 2025. Hanukkah traditions vary among families. In general most families all light the menorah for eight nights, eat fried food including jelly doughnuts and potato pancakes and play games with their family & friends.
So what does an interfaith holiday season look like?
Retail Shopping for Hanukkah in Indianapolis
- Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation Gift Shop
- Crate and Barrel
- Target
- Walmart
- Toy R Us
- Steinmart
- Harry & David
- Macy’s
Every year, local synagogues and other organizations create an inclusive opportunity for the community to experience Jewish traditions.
Upcoming Hanukkah Events
2024 Community Menorah Lightings
December 25 at 5 pm
Etz Chaim Sephardic Congregation
Max & Mae Simon Jewish Community Campus
December 26 at 5 pm
Hooverwood Living & Jewish Community Center ECE
Max & Mae Simon Jewish Community Campus
December 27 at 4:30 pm
Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation & Jewish Community Relations Council
Max & Mae Simon Jewish Community Campus
December 28 at 6:45 pm
Hasten Hebrew Academy of Indianapolis
Max & Mae Simon Jewish Community Campus
December 29 at 4:30 pm
Congregation Beth Shalom & Congregation Shaarey Tefilla
Max & Mae Simon Jewish Community Campus
December 30 at 6:30 pm
Indianapolis Jewish Discovery Center
Max & Mae Simon Jewish Community Campus
December 31 at 5 pm
Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis & PJ Library
Max & Mae Simon Jewish Community Campus
January 1 at 7 pm
Congregation Beth-El Zedeck
Max & Mae Simon Jewish Community Campus
Latkes and Lights
Sunday, December 29, 5-9pm
Newfields
Join Newfields and the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis for the Chanukah takeover of Winterlights. See the windows of Lilly House lit up with Menorahs and Stars of David and be dazzled by the Landscape of Lights as it dances on the Allée. This special evening, a million-and-a-half glittering lights will be enhanced with special food and beverage elements, including a one-of-a-kind holiday tasting with latkes (potato cakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts).
Your Latkes & Lights ticket includes a latke or sufganiyot as well as a Kosher cider or a hot cocoa.
Fishers Chanukah Celebration
December 5, 2024 at 5:30 pm
Robert Goldman Jewelers Menorah Lighting
December 28, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Israeli Chanukah Party
Hanukkah Palooza
December 27, 2024 at 6 pm
PJ Library Chanukah Candle Lighting & New Year's Even Celebration at the JCC
December 31, 2024 at 5 pm
Our Story as an Interfaith Family
I travel home to my parents typically for their annual Hanukkah party in which 50% of the participants are not Jewish, but rather people that want to learn more about our traditions. Sometimes referred to as “The Festival of Lights,” Hanukkah is a time of the year to spend time with family and friends.
Food Served at the Party
- Latkes (potato pancakes) are fried in the garage (traditional and new varieties)
- Sufganiyah (jelly doughnuts)
- Fried Thai eggrolls prepared by a family friend (our own tradition)
- Noodle Kuggel with Apples and Cinnamon
- Brisket
Other Traditions at the Party
- Gelt is distributed to all the children (chocolate money wrapped in gold or silver)
- Dreidels are distributed to all the children
- 15-20 menorahs are lit at one time- amazing differences to cater to an individual’s favorite things/colors. The candles are all different colors, textures, and sizes, and all shine at the same time.
Every other December (depending on when Hanukkah falls), we pack our menorah and candles for the flight to California and celebrate with my husband’s family. We spend Christmas Eve- joining the extended family for a Mexican/Filipino feast. The room is filled with laughter, full stomachs, present opening for the children and out-of-this-world chocolate mousse cake.
The Hamilton Southeastern School District has been one of inclusiveness.
- My daughter, like other children, is encouraged to share their traditions. We typically send a story for her to share with her class and participants in the aftercare program.
- Most teachers have been open to allowing our daughter to do an alternate craft if she chooses since we don’t hang Christmas decorations in our home.
- Even the music program included a Hanukkah song or two each year.
We have always stressed to our daughter that we are respectful of others’ beliefs and we are open to learning about other cultures. Since she was a baby she has been exposed to multiple religious beliefs.
On years when we don’t travel to see my husband’s side of the family, we do the traditional Chinese dinner, bowling, and go to a movie.
Hopefully, as our daughter gets older, she will do as I did and volunteer at a church, babysitting so others can enjoy their service or at a soup kitchen serving dinner.
