Chanukah Pajamukah
Candles glowed brightly at Beth Ahabah on the second night of Chanukah!
The entire community was invited to services on Friday, Dec. 8th to celebrate the holiday—and many people were decked out in Chanukah pajamas, hats, headbands, light-up sweaters, and other festive attire.
Attendees were encouraged to bring their own chanukiah to light at the beginning of the service, and Cantor Sarah Beck-Berman led the candle blessings.
The Beth Ahabah choir contributed their vocal talents to the service music and Chanukah songs while the candles flickered in menorahs of all shapes and sizes.
Congregational Latkes Party
On Sunday, Dec. 10th, Beth Ahabah Religious School students learned about the history and traditions of Chanukah in their Religious School classrooms, then were joined by their parents and other congregants to enjoy freshly made latkes and donuts.
Beth Ahabah’s Brotherhood prepared, fried, and served the latkes, while Rabbi Scott Nagel and his wife, Rabbi Randi Nagel, operated the congregation’s brand-new donut maker!
Everyone had the opportunity to play dreidel and other games while savoring their Chanukah feast. Thank you so much to all our volunteers for making Chanukah both delicious and fun!
City of Richmond Menorah Lighting
The Richmond Jewish community gathered at City Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 12th at 4:30 p.m. for the third annual community Menorah lighting.
Rabbi Nagel and Cantor Beck-Berman were excited and honored to be asked to participate in the event again this year!
Attendees enjoyed sufganyot, latkes, and other treats before Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney introduced the evening’s guest speakers. Both Federation CEO Daniel Staffenberg and Rabbi Nagel spoke of the need for light, unity, and community—both in this season of winter darkness and in the face of rising anti-Semitism throughout the world. Cantor Beck-Berman then sang the Chanukah blessings and led everyone in song as soon as the Menorah was illuminated for the sixth night.
Afterward, young adults gathered at The Veil Brewing Co. in Scott’s Addition to celebrate with a Chanukah social sponsored by Congregation Beth Ahabah, Temple Beth-El, and the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond.
To learn more about Congregation Beth Ahabah, please visit bethahabah.org. Please contact Sarah Roper at programs@bethahabah.org to receive emails about upcoming young adult or young family events.
