Chanukah 2013 in Berlin - Communal Events and Useful Information (slightly updated)

Was it also a shock for you? To find out that what we innocently call as our own "Sunfganyot" is sold year-round all over Germany as "Pfannkuchen" (and is even known outside Berlin as a "Berliner Pfannkuchen")? At least now Jewish Democrats know for sure that JFK was one of ours, after all, He is a Berliner.

Not German Pfannkuchen... Not even similar! (source: Wikipedia)

Where to get stuff for Chanukkah in Berlin

If you need menorah (Chanukia), there are several places to get one. The Berlin Chabad is giving away small ones for free, you can also get candles from them.

Judaica stores, including the one at the Jewish Museum and Levy's Tabularium in the Hackescher Hoefe sell fancier menorahs as well as dreidels. You can of course try eBay or Amazon.

You can of course make your own...

You need 44 candles if you plan to light the whole holiday. Hanukkah Gelt, as well as Sunfganyot and Latkes, are all readily available in any supermarket in their surprising German versions: the Schokoladengeld, the aforementioned Pfannkuchen and of course, Kartoffelpuffer.


Where to celebrate with others

Chabad will have two public candle lighting ceremonies: for the first candle in Brandenburg Gate (Wed., Nov 27th, at 6:30 pm) and for the fourth candle near Galeria Kaufhof in Alexanderplaty (Sat., Nov 30th, 8:30 pm). You can also see both public menorahs after the ceremony.

All synagogues will hold public ceremonies on Friday Night (Erev Shabbath), but two of the synagogues that are very welcoming are Rykestrasse (especially for families, as they hold a weekly Kabalat Shabbath in their "children room", see Facebook Event) and Fraenkelufer. In Fraenfelufer, you can also come for the first candle, BYO kosher-style food (FB Information)

At Feinberg, you can enjoy a festive meal on the 27th. Further details

Especially for children

I have already mentioned the Rykestrasse children activities, and on Friday, the 29th (3rd candle), they will be doing special activities for children from ca. 5 pm.

Wednesday the 4th will bring the Bubales' puppet theatre for children:

Other activities for children for Hanukkah are organised by Bambinim , for example a Hanukkah lunch at their East Berlin centre.

The Jewish Museum is offering a special workshop/activity for kids on all December Sundays.

And for Adults..

This Thursday, Chabad organises a party for students and young professionals at the New West:

On Saturday night, the Hebrew Language Week will begin with a party, at Sophiensaelle, with the Meschugge team. You can see a list of all Hebrew Language Week events (including the party) here.

A Mini-Chanukah Market

The Pestalozzistrasse community is organising a "Chanukka-Basar" on Sunday, at the Fasanenstrasse JCC. Veteran Jewish Berliners might remember the Jewish Museum's "Chanukah Market" from few years back. Unfortunately, this is not that, but on the other hand, it is for a good cause - to renovate the Pestalozzistrasse synagogue.