Celebrate Chanukah at the JCC The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh is the place to be for Chanukah, with activities for all ages at the JCC in Squirrel Hill and the South Hills. The eight-day holiday, commemorating the re-dedication of the Jerusalem Temple by Judah the Maccabee around 164 B.C.E., begins on the evening of Friday, December 11, 2009.

Special activities include:

JCC Squirrel Hill Chanukah Klezmer Fest and Intergenerational Sing-a-Long Wednesday, December 9, 7-9 p.m. Get in the mood for Chanukah with the Hot Matzohs, a Pittsburgh-based Klezmer band! Enjoy a fun concert with the entire family. The Hot Matzohs will perform favorite Jewish tunes and invite you to join the fun! Musical instruments will be provided. Concert will be in the Agnes and Joseph Katz Performing Arts Center, 5738 Darlington Road. Light refreshments provided. $20 reserved priority seating Ages 60+ and children under 18: $10 in advance; $15 at the door Ages 18-59: $15 in advance; $20 at the door For info, call 412/521-8011, ext. 135.

Celebrate Chanukah Family Style Wednesday, December 16, 5:15-7:30 p.m. Please join the JCC, Shalom Pittsburgh and Chabad as we Celebrate Chanukah Family Style! Especially for families with children age 8 and under. Candlelighting Kickoff at 5:15 p.m. in the Palm Court Maccabi Obstacle Course Storytelling in the Dreidel House Pin the Tail on the Menorah Sufganiyot (Donut) Eating Contest Israeli Dancing and Karaoke Chanukah Crafts Latkes, Pizza, Donuts and More for Sale Chanukah Bingo Cookie Decorating Face Painting Mike the Balloon Guy Sufganiyot (jelly donut) Eating Contest Cookie Decorating Free and open to the public. Please bring a non-perishable kosher food item for the Squirrel Hill Food Pantry, a program of the Jewish Family & Children’s Service, and receive Chanukah gelt as a thank you. For more information, call Liza Baron (JCC) at 412/521-8011, ext. 241, or Becca Lehner (Shalom Pittsburgh) at 412/992-5222.

It's a Holiday Party! Thursday, Dec. 17, 5:30-8 p.m., Levinson Hall Celebrate the holidays with Chanukah candle lighting, donuts, dinner and dancing. Entertainment by Chuck Mahan's Music Express. Enjoy a fun-filled evening and let the warmth of the festival be with you throughout the year. $12/age 60+ $15/age 59 and under Register by December 7 Stop in Room 201 or call Jeanne Ronschke 412/521-8011, ext. 362.

JCC South Hills Annual Mitzvah Menorah JCC-South Hills, 345 Kane Boulevard, Scott Township Help us make a child’s holiday brighter, happier and more hopeful by donating an age-appropriate new and unwrapped gift and placing it in the designated box in our lobby. Gifts will be taken to The Squirrel Hill Food Pantry (a program of Jewish Family & Children’s Services) on December 10 for Chanukah distribution. Suggested Gift Items: Toys, Clothing, Books, Art Supplies, Small Electronics, Rattles, Dolls.

Drop & Shop Drop your child at the JCC for some fun. You get a chance to shop until you are done. Gym, Pool, Crafts & Games Saturday December 5, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Age 3 – 6th Grade Pre-Registration Required by Thursday, December 3. $15/child; $10/each sibling Bring Bathing Suit, Towel & Gym Shoes.

Chanukah Holiday Bazaar The perfect place to find the perfect gift for your holiday giving. Sunday, December 6, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, December 7, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Proceeds benefit the JCC-South Hills Early Childhood and Family Services Departments. For more information, please call or email Ann Haalman, Director Family Services and Summer Day Camps, at 412/278-1975, ext. 204, or ahaalman@jccpgh.org.

Community Chanukah Celebration Bring your friends and family to celebrate the holiday! Tuesday, December 15, 6-7:30 p.m. Candle Lighting Community Songfest Children’s Sand Art and Games Lego Menorah Building Contest Olive Press Dreidel Spinning Contest Light Supper of Pizza, Doughnuts and Beverage Enjoy a Swim Play in the Gym Story Telling Co-Hosted by: The JCC-South Hills, Beth El Congregation, Temple Emanuel, Chabad of the South Hills, Beth Israel Center of Pleasant Hills, Beth Israel Congregation-Washington PA, Congregation Ahavath Achim-The Carnegie Shul. For more information: Ann Haalman, 412/278-1975, ext. 204, or ahaalman@jccpgh.org.