Jewish Community Center to hold Hanukkah events

The Augusta Jewish Community Center will hold several events in December to celebrate Hanukkah.

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The first event that it will play host to is a Jewish Community Book Fair and Hanukkah Bazaar from 1-7 p.m. Dec. 7 at the AJCC, located on Weinberger Way off Furys Ferry Road in Evans.

Alberta Goldberg, program director at the AJCC, said the event will feature Hanukkah cookies for the children to decorate, as well as other games and activities. An Israeli dance troupe will perform at 1:30 p.m., and a variety of local vendors will sell Hanukkah and Christmas gifts. Among the items for sale will be jewelry, pottery, candy and soap.

Five local authors will read from their original works, including Cathy Fishman, Gloria Greenbaum and Lowell Greenbaum.

Lunch will be served, with reservations required by Wednesday. Cost of the lunch is $5 for adults and $3 for children.

On Dec. 21, the AJCC will hold its annual Jewish Community Hanukkah Latke Dinner. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m., with tickets costing $12 for adult AJCC members and $8 for children. There will be a $45 per family maximum.

"This is a community event that people come to every year," said Goldberg. "People who don't know how to make latkes or don't have family in the area feel part of the greater Jewish community family here."

The menu for the buffet-style dinner will feature latkes, poached salmon, vegetables, rolls and dessert.

"These events are open to the public," said Goldberg. "Anyone who is interested in learning more about Jewish traditions and eating some of the traditional Jewish foods is invited."

The latke dinner will mark the first night of Chanukah, so lights will be turned off and the first candle of the menorah lighted. Menorahs and candles will be given to anyone who attends without one.

For information on either of these events, call the AJCC at (706) 228-3636.