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What to do every night of Hanukkah 2022 in NYC
(New York Jewish Week) — Hanukkah 2022 is just days away — the eight-day holiday begins Sunday, Dec. 18 and concludes the evening of Sunday, Dec. 25.
If you’re looking to celebrate the Festival of Lights beyond the annual family Hanukkah party, you’re in luck: In this great and very Jewish city of ours, there are enough Hanukkah-themed events to keep you busy the entire holiday.
We’ve put together a packed schedule of celebration for every night of the holiday — whether you’re looking for a candle-lighting ceremony, a concert or a comedy show, there’s something for everybody. If you’re not in New York or can’t make it out, be sure to check The Hub for an updated list of virtual classes, events and celebrations going on throughout the week.
Here’s our guide to eight crazy nights in NYC:
Sunday, Dec. 18
See the newest Jewish adaptation of “A Christmas Carol”
“A Hanukkah Carol, or GELT TRIP! The Musical” is a new musical that puts a Jewish spin on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” The plot centers around Chava Kanipshin, a cruel and manipulative social media influencer who hides her Jewish identity because she was bullied as a child. But on one memorable Hanukkah, Chava is visited by spirits of the past, present and future to reckon with her life before it is too late. On the first night of Hanukkah, songs and scenes from the show will be performed in a live concert. Buy tickets for the in-person or livestream show on at 7:00 p.m. here. ($15-$50)
Celebrate with Hanukkah songs and Hebrew music
Conducted by Matthew Lazar, Zamir, one of New York’s preeminent Jewish choirs, is performing on the first night of Hanukkah. Zamir Chorale, the Hebrew-singing choir, and Zamir Noded, the young adults choir, will both sing at the Kaufman Music Center (129 W. 67th St.). The concert will also celebrate Israel’s 75th birthday. Buy tickets for the 7:30 p.m. concert here. ($40)
Watch the lighting of Brooklyn’s largest menorah at Grand Army Plaza
At Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn, Chabad of Park Slope will host their annual Hanukkah Kickoff party and concert on the first night of Hanukkah. Beginning at 4:00 p.m., the party will feature a live performance by the band Zusha, as well as latkes and gifts. The largest menorah in Brooklyn will be lit at 5:00 p.m., with nightly lighting to follow. Find more Chabad events and menorah lightings here. (Free)
Get the band together for klezmer in the park
The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music will host a Klezmer Hanukkah Celebration and jam session at the Old Stone House in Prospect Park. Led by Ira Temple, the klezmer session will be open to the public. The celebration, which will include a menorah lighting, will take place from 3:00-4:30 p.m. on the afternoon of Dec. 18. RSVP here. (Free)
Monday, Dec. 19
Skate the night away
The 15th Annual Chanukah on Ice at Wollman Rink in Central Park will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the second night of Hanukkah. The event will feature live entertainment, kosher food and the lighting of a giant ice menorah. Buy tickets and find more information here. ($28-$35)
Show your Jewish pride: Shine a Light on Antisemitism in Times Square
Shine a Light on Antisemitism will host its second annual concert and gathering in Times Square from 5:00-6:30 p.m. The event, emceed by comedian Ariel Elias, will include a public menorah lighting and is meant as a public display of Jewish pride amidst rising antisemitism. Other performers include Nissim Black, The Moshav Band, David Herkowitz formerly of the Miami Boys Choir, The Ramaz Upper School Choir and the cast of the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene’s “Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish.” The event is co-sponsored by UJA-Federation, the Jewish Community Relations Council, the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee. Find more information here. (Free)
Naomi Levy, 36, is bringing the pop-up Hanukkah-themed Maccabee Bar to New York. (Ezra Pollard)
Tuesday, Dec. 20
Grab a specialty cocktail at the Maccabee Bar
Taking over the cocktail bar Ollie in the West Village, a Hanukkah-themed pop-up bar is headed to NYC this year. Serving unique cocktails like a Latke Sour and an Ethiopian-inspired mule alongside latkes and other Hanukkah foods, the Maccabee Bar will be open from Dec. 13 through Dec. 31. Check the website for reservations and updated hours, and read our interview with bartender and creator Naomi Levy here. (drinks $10-$16)
Menorah lighting and party in Brooklyn
Dirah, a “spiritual start-up” Chabad initiative that offers Jewish experiences for people of all affiliations and backgrounds, will host a community menorah lighting, live music and latkes at Carroll Park (291 President St.) in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn at 5:30 p.m. There will also be a fire juggling show to celebrate the festival of lights. RSVP here. (Free)
Wednesday, Dec. 21
Stand-up comedy at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan
The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan is presenting “Oy Gevalt Comedy,” hosted by Ashley Austin Morris, featuring a performance by stand-up comedian Lenny Marcus. The in-person show is on Dec. 21 at 7:00 p.m. Buy tickets here and check the JCC’s other Hanukkah offerings here, including several Hanukkah parties and nightly candle-lighting. ($10)
Thursday, Dec. 22
Join Hey Alma for a comedy showcase on the Lower East Side
Hey Alma’s Evelyn Frick will host “Get Lit, Bitch: A Hanukkah Comedy Show,” a live stand-up comedy showcase at Caveat NYC (21A Clinton St.) on the Lower East Side. The show, open to those 21 and over, begins at 7:00 pm. Featuring Jared Goldstein (Comedy Central), Benny Feldman (Just for Laughs), Sami Schwaeber (NY Comedy Festival) and Jenny Gorelick (Comedy Central). Buy tickets here for livestream or in person. ($10-$15)
Laugh and sing along at the Chanukahstravaganza in Brooklyn
Comedians Lana Schwartz and Illana Michelle Rubin host “The Sixth Annual Chanukahstravaganza!”, a standup comedy showcase at Littlefield NYC (635 Sackett St.) in Gowanus, Brooklyn. Performers include Brandon Follick, Jess Salomon, Alon Elian, Rebecca Weiser, Charlie Bardey and Anna Suzuki. The show, open to those 21 and older, runs from 8:00-10:30 p.m.. Buy tickets here. ($12)
Ira Kaplan performing with the band Yo La Tengo at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City in 2003. (Getty Images)
Friday, Dec. 23
Rock out with Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo is back this year with their annual run of Hanukkah concerts. Playing every night of Hanukkah at The Bowery Ballroom (6 Delancey St.) on the Lower East Side, the indie rock trio is known for bringing out surprise guests during their Hanukkah performances. Buy tickets before they sell out! ($50)
Indulge in all the fried foods
Yes, latkes are delicious — but why not try something different this Festival of Lights? Head out on a self-guided food tour and feast on Hanukkah treats at one of the many bakeries serving up Hanukkah-themed desserts across the city, including Balaboosta, Edith’s and Breads Bakery. Check out the New York Jewish Week’s guide to get started.
Saturday, Dec. 24
Party all night long at the Matzoball…
Christmas Eve falls on the seventh night of Hanukkah this year, which should make Matzoball, the iconic Jewish Christmas Eve bash, even more fun. This year at Harbor NYC (621 West 46th St.), Matzoball has long been the place for Jewish singles to connect and party the night away. Buy tickets here. ($50)
… or with The Streicker Center at TAO Downtown
For another Christmas Eve option, check out “The Night Before Christmas” holiday party hosted by The Streicker Outreach Center at Temple Emanu-El as part of their initiative to reach Jewish young professionals. A ticket to the party at TAO Downtown (92 9th Ave.) in the Meatpacking District includes an all-you-can-eat Asian food dinner, an open bar and dancing. DJed by Ann Streichman and Kosha Dillz. Buy tickets here. ($48)
Sunday, Dec. 25
Carry on the tradition at “Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish”
Running at the New World Stages (340 West 50th St.) for only seven weeks, the return of “Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish” is already nearing its end. The cast will be performing a matinee and evening performance on the last night of Hanukkah, and the show is the perfect way to get into the spirit of “Tradition!” Buy tickets and find showtimes here. (Tickets starting at $87)
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The post What to do every night of Hanukkah 2022 in NYC appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
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Israel’s Ben-Gvir Visits Flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound
Israeli politician Itamar Ben-Gvir walks inside the Knesset, in Jerusalem, Oct. 13, 2025. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Pool via REUTERS
Israel’s far-right police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on Sunday, saying he was seeking greater access for Jewish worshipers and drawing condemnation from Jordan and the Palestinians.
The compound in Jerusalem’s walled Old City is one of the most sensitive sites in the Middle East. Known to Jews as Temple Mount, it is the most sacred site in Judaism and is Islam’s third-holiest site.
Under a delicate, decades-old arrangement with Muslim authorities, it is administered by a Jordanian religious foundation and Jews can visit but may not pray there.
Suggestions that Israel would alter the rules have sparked outrage among Muslims and ignited violence in the past.
“Today, I feel like the owner here,” National Security Minister Ben-Gvir said in a video filmed at the site and distributed by his office. “There is still more to do, more to improve. I keep pushing the Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) to do more and more — we must keep rising higher and higher.”
A statement from the Jordanian foreign ministry said it considered Ben-Gvir’s visit to be a violation of the status quo agreement at the site and “a desecration of its sanctity, a condemnable escalation and an unacceptable provocation.”
The office of Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, said such actions could further destabilize the region.
Ben-Gvir’s spokesman said the minister was seeking greater access and prayer permits for Jewish visitors. He also said that Ben-Gvir had prayed at the site.
There was no immediate comment from Netanyahu’s office. Previous such visits and statements by Ben-Gvir have prompted Netanyahu announcements saying that there is no change in Israel’s policy of keeping the status quo.
Muslim, Christian and Jewish sites, including Al-Aqsa had been largely closed to the public during the Iran war. There was no immediate sign of unrest on Sunday after Ben-Gvir’s visit.
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Netanyahu Visits Troops Fighting Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem, Aug. 10, 2025. Photo: ABIR SULTAN/Pool via REUTERS
i24 News – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon on Sunday as military operations against Hezbollah-linked targets continue.
Netanyahu toured forward positions alongside Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, Eyal Zamir, and Northern Command Commander Rafi Milo, meeting troops and receiving operational briefings from commanders on the ground.
Speaking to soldiers, Netanyahu praised their performance and said operations in the Lebanese security zone were ongoing.
“The war continues, including within the security zone in Lebanon,” he said, adding that Israeli forces were working to prevent infiltration attempts and neutralize threats such as anti-tank fire and missiles.
He described the northern campaign as part of a broader regional struggle involving Iran and its allies, saying Israel’s adversaries were now “fighting for their survival” following sustained Israeli military pressure.
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Saudi Arabia Restores Full Capacity on East-West Oil Pipeline to 7 Million BPD After Attacks
FILE PHOTO: General view of Khurais NGL recovery plant in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia, June 28, 2021. Picture taken June 28, 2021. REUTERS/Mohammed Benmansour./File Photo
Saudi Arabia has restored full oil pumping capacity through the East-West pipeline to about seven million barrels per day, it said on Sunday, days after providing an assessment of damage on its energy sector from attacks during the Iran conflict.
The ministry said energy facilities and the pipeline affected by attacks during the conflict have recovered and restored operational capacity.
Saudi did not specify who launched the attacks, but the kingdom has intercepted many Iranian missiles and drones in recent weeks.
The strikes also disrupted operations at key oil, gas, refining, petrochemical and electricity sites in Riyadh, the Eastern Province and Yanbu Industrial City.
OUTPUT RECOVERY TO HELP SUPPLY CONTINUITY
Saudi said on Thursday the attacks had cut its oil production capacity by around 600,000 barrels per day and throughput on its East-West Pipeline by about 700,000 bpd.
The East-West Pipeline has been Saudi Arabia’s only crude export route amid the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Reuters reported on Wednesday that Iran attacked the pipeline just hours after the ceasefire was agreed.
The ministry said it recovered affected volumes from the Manifa oilfield, where output had previously been reduced by around 300,000 bpd.
Work was ongoing to restore full output at the Khurais facility, after strikes on it reduced Saudi capacity by a further 300,000 bpd, the ministry said.
It said the quick recovery would enhance the “reliability and continuity of supplies to local and global markets.”