Holiday parties abound

There are Chanukah parties happening all over southern British Columbia this season. Get out, have a latke, spin the dreidel and celebrate with family and friends. Here is a guide to some of what's going on:

Latke making at the Peretz Centre. Sunday, Dec. 6, 1-3 p.m.

Chanukah carnival with Young Israel of Richmond. Sunday Dec. 6, 1:30-4 p.m., at Garden City Elementary School, 8311 Garden City Rd.

Chanukah latke dinner with the Okanagan Jewish Community. Friday, Dec. 11, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Following dinner, join the community candlelighting and a reading of It's a Miracle! by Stephanie Spinner, 7 p.m. The service will be concluded with Shabbat candlelighting and Kiddush. Visit ojcc.ca for more information.

Or Shalom Chanukah party. Saturday, Dec. 12, 6 p.m.

Ahavat Olam Chanukah party with music, dreidels, latkes, a quiz, door prizes and a chance to win a laptop computer. Bring your menorah. At the (new) Mount Pleasant Community Centre, #1 Kingsway (at the intersection of Main Street and Kingsway), on Saturday, Dec. 12, 7:30-11 p.m. $15 suggested donation. 604-880-1088, ahavat-olam.ca.

Vodka Latke Chanukah party with the Ohel Ya'akov Community Kollel. Saturday, Dec. 12, 8 p.m., at the new Kollel lounge, 1967 West Broadway.

Children's Chanukah party at the Victoria JCC (3900 Shelbourne St.). Sunday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m.

Ellie Slavin JCCGV Chanukah party, with arts and crafts, dreidel bingo, candlelighting and more, at the Vancouver JCC. Sunday, Dec. 13, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Admission by donation to the Jewish Food Bank.

Chanukah party at the Peretz Centre, includes performances by the Sunday school, b'nai mitzvah kids and the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir. Sunday, Dec. 13, 2:30 p.m. Free/$5.

Community-wide candlelighting with Congregation Emanu-El, in front of the Legislature Buildings. Will feature a performance by the 5th (British Columbia) Field Regiment Canadian Military Brass band. Sunday, Dec. 13, 5 p.m.

Chanukah Unplugged with Schara Tzedeck Synagogue. Join Rabbi Ariel Tal and the Schara Tzedeck Children's Choir for an evening of music, dreidel, candlelighting and refreshments (catered by Susy Siegel). $15-$36. Children under 5, free. 604-736-7607.

Beth Israel Electric Chanukah Bash in the Eureka! Gallery at Science World. All-ages activities in the gallery as well as the Science World electricity show. A light dinner will be served, with Chanukah treats for all. Sunday, Dec. 13, 6:30 p.m. Call 604-731-4161 or visit bethisrael.ca.

Chanukah party with the Israeli culture department at the Vancouver JCC. Candlelighting, singing, dancing and sufganiyot. Sunday, Dec. 13, 7-10 p.m. $10 at the door.

Electric Chanukah Bash after party (19+), presented by Congregation Beth Israel. Sunday, Dec. 13, 9 p.m.-midnight. $10 in advance, $15 at the door (first drink free).

Beth Hamidrash Chanukah party: games, puppet show, balloons and Chanukah goodies. Monday, Dec. 14, 5 p.m. A light supper will be served. By donation.

Chabad of Downtown and Lubavitch B.C. Chanukah Bowl. Light the Silber Family Agam Menorah (Canada's tallest menorah), followed by a Chanukah bowling party. Monday, Dec. 14: menorah lighting, 5:30 p.m., at the Vancouver Art Gallery (corner of Georgia and Howe streets); bowling party, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Commodores Lanes, 838 Granville St. (between Robson and Smithe). Food will be available for sale at the bowling alley. Admission by donation.

Jewish National Fund Chanukah party. Tuesday, Dec. 15. Time and location to be announced. Call 604-257-5155 for information.

Chanukah zimriyah at Richmond Jewish Day School (8760 No. 5 Rd.). Tuesday, Dec. 15, 6:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. For more information, 604-275-3393 or rjds.ca.

Beth Tikvah's adult ethnic Chanukah dinner for young to not-so-young adults (teens and adults). Candlelighting, sing-along and an ethnic dinner. Bring your chanukiyah and if you have a favorite ethnic Chanukah recipe, submit it to the office. Tuesday, Dec. 15, 7 p.m.

Beth Tikvah's spaghetti dinner with latkes and all the trimmings. Pin the Candle on the Menorah, face painting, balloon artist, prizes and more. Wednesday, Dec. 16, 5:30-7:15 p.m. RSVP by Dec. 11.

Next Generation Chanukah Murder Mystery with Temple Sholom. Wednesday, Dec. 16, 7-9 p.m.

Beth Tikvah Women's League Chanukah party: new format. Thursday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m.

Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir performs with other community choirs at VanDusen Botanical Gardens. Saturday, Dec. 19, 6 p.m.

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