nbcchicago.com

The Bernard Weinger Jewish Community Center in Northbrook hosted a party Thursday that included the lighting of the menorah and family entertainment in the form of a juggler.

The festive nature of Hanukkah is enriched through family and community gatherings, which include playing games, such as dreidel, and eating special foods, like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts).

On each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, Jews light menorahs as reminders of the Jewish struggle for religious freedom.

The event in Northbrook was part of the JCC of Chicago Israeli Community Outreach Program, supported by a grant from the Jewish Federation/Jewish United Fund (JF/JUF) of Chicago.

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Chicago Sun Times

President's Day was filled with Olympic fun for children who participated in the "Maccabi" Sports Event, the children's version of the Israeli Olympic Games. Sponsored by the Jewish Community Center of Chicago at Bernard Horwich JCC, children in kindergarten through sixth-grade participated in basketball, an obstacle course, trivia contest and a charity project.

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Park Ridge Herald-Advocate

Two talented teens rotate the title role in Mayer Kaplan Jewish Community Center's Young Actors Ensemble's "Hello, Dolly!" Fourteen-year-old Talia Molotsky of Skokie and Katie Albrecht, 15, of Glenview are playing delightfully devious matchmaker Dolly Levi. They are joined by 23 other actors, ages 10-15.

Performing Arts Director Terri Hilton described Jerry Herman's show as "a beloved Broadway musical, but one that not a lot of these kids are familiar with. This is the 'Wicked' and 'Les Miz' generation so 'Hello, Dolly!' is new and fresh to them. But the group tends to be very musical theater aware so they're excited about getting the chance to perform a show that they know is associated with Tommy Tune, Barbra Streisand and Carol Channing."

The concluding performances are 7:30 pm Thursday, Feb. 26, and noon and 3:30 pm Sunday, March 1, at 5050 Church St., Skokie. Tickets are $15.

For details, call (847) 675-2200.

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