This Thursday marks the start of Hanukkah, the eight-day-long wintertime festival of lights observed in the Jewish faith. Hebrew for “dedication,” Hanukkah celebrates the recovery of Jerusalem, specifically the reclaiming of the Holy Temple, and is observed by a nightly menorah lighting along with reciting special blessings, prayers and songs.
Throughout the South Fork community, there’ll be a bunch of menorah lightings at places of worship, civic organizations and village centers. Celebrations will also include live music, refreshments, readings, and a MenorahCade! Food is another component central to the Hanukkah holiday, and some of our fave SoFo restaurants and markets are serving up some specialty items in honor of the week-long celebration.
No matter your faith, remember to be kind to one another and to always be the light, especially in times of darkness.
East Hampton
Throughout East Hampton Town, Chabad of the Hamptons (13 Woods Lane) and Jewish Center of the Hamptons (44 Woods Lane) help celebrate the days of Hanukkah with lightings at some familiar favorite spots along with plenty of festive fun for the whole community to enjoy.
For the first night of Hanukkah (Thursday, December 7) there is a lighting of the menorah at Hook Windmill, situated between North Main Street and Montauk Highway, at around 4 p.m.. For the fourth night, Chabad of the Hamptons hosts a MenorahCade on Sunday, December 10, beginning at 4 p.m. in East Hampton.
Departing at Chabad’s location, participants will drive through the hamlet with their respective vehicles adorned with menorahs and festive lights. The parade will conclude with a Hanukkah party back at Chabad. Click here to save your spot and to sponsor a car menorah. Cars will line up at 3:30 p.m.. Also on Sunday, BookHampton (41 Main St.) hosts a Hanukkah storytime, with readings from members of the clergy along with a sing-along session for the kids.
Guild Hall will host a lighting of the menorah, with the help of JCOH, on Monday, December 11, at 5 p.m. in the cultural institution’s lobby. All members of the community are welcome. Also on Monday, Chabad of the Hamptons hosts a menorah lighting on the Montauk Village Green, slated for just after 4 p.m..
Next Tuesday, December 12, attendees can enjoy a special kosher wine and whiskey tasting at Amagansett Wine & Spirits (203 Main St.). Just a bit east, a menorah lighting is expected for 5 p.m. at the flagpole near the Amagansett Fire Department (439 Main St.).
Next Wednesday, December 13, at LTV Studios in Wainscott there’s a concert for humanitarian relief in Israel at 7 p.m.. Tickets are $54 for open seating and $90 for cabaret seating. There’ll be a celebration beforehand at 6:30 p.m.. Get tickets here.
If menorah lightings aren’t your thing, a couple of locales are celebrating Hanukkah through food — arguably our favorite love language. Nick & Toni’s will be celebrating with à la carte specials, available Thursday through Friday, December 15, offering some classics. Think chopped chicken liver crostini, smoked salmon salad with crème fraiche and braised lamb shanks. Similarly, its sister operation, Amagansett’s newly opened Rowdy Hall, is on tap to serve potato latkes with apple sauce, braised brisket and chocolate rugelach, among other festive fare.
Sag Harbor
Temple Adas Israel (30 Atlantic Ave.) in Sag Harbor hosts a Hanukkah Pop-up Store from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 7, and Friday, December 8. In honor of the first night of Hanukkah on Thursday at 6 p.m. at the end of Main Street on Long Wharf, between Windmill Beach and Bay Street Theater, the temple hosts the lighting of the first candle on the menorah. Hot chocolate and donuts will be served.
Also on Thursday, all are welcome to a holiday lightings celebration hosted by Kidd Squid Brewing Co. and Sag Harbor Garden Center. Beginning at 4 p.m. at the two businesses’ adjacent Springs Street locations, there’ll be hot cocoa for kids, mulled wine for adults and music by Friday Night Traditional and Adelaide Mestre. Lightings are slated to start at 4:45 p.m..
For those curious in the Harbor about having a Hanukkah-themed meal, look no further than Harbor Market, located about a block away from the temple. Classics like latkes, matzo balls and brisket will be available on their catering menu, plus potato kugel and Hanukkah gelt (those chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil), along with specialty wrapping paper, and long-burning, hand-dipped candles. Pick-ups start Thursday and you can check out the menu here.
Eastport/Bridgehampton/Shelter Island
“An Evening of Joy and Togetherness” is at 505 Montauk Highway in Eastport, on Thursday beginning at 3:30 p.m.. All are welcome to attend the lighting of the first candle on the menorah. Hot cocoa will be served.
In Bridgehampton, there’s a community menorah lighting on Thursday at the Hampton Library beginning at 4:30 p.m.. The lighting will be presented along with the Bridgehampton Village Improvement Society, Friends of the Library, and the Bridgehampton Association. Across the street, L&W Market will be offering homemade latkes and jelly donuts all week beginning on Thursday. Chef Jason Weiner’s “Chanukah 5784” will be available to-go. In addition to the latkes and “latke adjacent” items (they made a funny!), expect to see whole roasted chickens, red wine braised briskets, matzo ball soup and a handful of sides. Peep the menu here. Orders must be placed by noon on Wednesday, December 13, for a Friday, December 15, pick-up. Orders will be available for pick-up next door at Almond from 1 to 3 p.m..
In celebration of the festival of lights, Shelter Island’s Police Department (44 North Ferry Road) hosts a menorah lighting on Sunday, December 10, at 4:30 p.m..
