The eight nights of Hanukkah last from Dec. 8 - Dec. 16 in 2012. Celebrate the festival of lights in Denver with these eight activities for the whole family. Hanukkah commemorates the victory of the Maccabees in 165 B.C.E. after King Antiochus desecrated the Temple. One small jar of oil miraculously lasted for eight days, which is now celebrated by lighting candles and eating foods cooked in oil.
1. Eat Latkes at Zaidy's Deli
Treat yourself to the traditional Hanukkah dish of latkes, also known as potato pancakes. Zaidy's, which means grandfather in Yiddish, strives to be the next best thing to grandpa's finest. The Denver kosher-style deli is located at 121 Adams St. in Cherry Creek.
2. Compete in the Top Latke Cook-off
Temple Micah will hold its fifth-annual Top Latke Cook-off & Hanukkah Party on Friday, Dec. 7, 2012. The battle for the best potato pancake in the Mile High City begins at 5:30 p.m. at 1980 Dahlia St. RSVPs are required for the event.
3. Watch the Hanukkah Menorah Lighting
The menorah in front of the Jewish Community Center will be lit at sundown on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. The family event at the corner of Dahlia Street and Alameda Avenue is sponsored by the Allied Jewish Federation.4. Attend the Community Chanukah Carnival
Aish Denver is hosting its second-annual Community Chanukah Carnival at 9550 E. Belleview Ave. in Greenwood Village. The festivities will be held from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9. Admission is $5 per child and $7 per adult, with a maximum of $30 per family.
5. Hear the Colorado Hebrew Chorale
The Colorado Hebrew Chorale will hold several Hanukkah concerts this year. The volunteer chorale will hold a free concert at Shalom Park retirement home on Sunday, Dec. 16 at 3:30 p.m. On Monday, Dec. 10, the chorale will perform at Four Mile Historic Park for its Festival of Lights Celebration, which will be held from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Admission for the concert and other festivities at Four Mile Historic Park is $10 for adults and $5 for children.
6. Sample Hanukkah Donuts
No holiday is complete without a special kind of deep-fried sweet. Hanukkah donuts, or sufganiyot, are usually jelly donuts, but can be filled with other fillings as well. The Donut Maker at 9625 E. Arapahoe Rd. in Greenwood Village prepares sufganiyot during Hanukkah. The locally-owned donut shop is open from 5 a.m. - 11 a.m. daily.
7. Visit Golda Meir's House
Golda Meir, the first and only female prime minister of Israel, lived in Denver with her sister's family for two years while she attended North High. Meir's duplex teetered on the verge of demolition before it was relocated to the Auraria campus as a museum in 1988. Tours are available by appointment.
8. Ski with the Adventure Rabbi
A Colorado take on Hanukkah starts on the ski slopes, of course. Rabbi Jamie Korngold, or the "Adventure Rabbi" as she calls herself, leads the faithful in a Shabbat service before carving some turns. In the summer months, hiking and mountain biking trips are also offered. A ski trip is planned for Saturday, Dec. 8 at Copper Mountain. Skiing begins at 10 a.m. and services begin at 12:30 p.m.
9. Honorable Mention: Paint Your Own Menorah
Color Me Mine pottery studios lets kids paint their own menorahs for a fun family activity. The Denver studio is located at 2nd & Quebec, and there is also a studio across from Park Meadows Mall at 9623 E. County Line Rd. Some locations also carry mezuzahs for painting.
