Celebrate the Festival of Lights with music from the Seattle Jewish Chorale.
It’s virtually impossible to turn on the radio in December and not hear rendition after rendition of America’s favorite Christmas tunes. Bon Jovi rocks out to announce Santa’s arrival in town, while Bing Crosby croons about snowy white Christmas dreams — but what about those of us who celebrate the holidays with potato latkes, dreidel games and lighting the menorah? Where are all the Hanukkah songs?
Luckily, the awesome ladies and gents of Seattle Jewish Chorale (along with their generous co-sponsors, Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation and Kol Haneshamah: West Seattle’s Progressive Synagogue Community) are swooping in to save the (holi)day for Jews in dire need of some Hanukkah music and cheer.
Light the Candles: A Hanukkah Concert for Everyone is a diverse, uplifting musical performance for Jews and Gentiles alike. Festive Hanukkah songs of all styles and languages will be featured — from traditional Hebrew, Yiddish and Ladino hymns to beloved contemporary favorites (including “Heal Us Now,” the moving ballad sung at Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ healing service earlier this year).
Concert organizers hope to bring Seattle’s Jewish-American community together during a special time of year, as well as to teach non-Jews the story and meaning of Hanukkah through song. Fans of world and choral music, friends of the Jewish community and anyone interested in learning about culture are encouraged to attend.
A coffee and tea reception will take place after the concert, with traditional Hanukkah treats and delicious baked goods up for sale, such as doughnuts and “gelt” (chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil).
The Seattle Jewish Chorale is an all-inclusive, nonprofit community choir whose mission is to preserve and celebrate the beauty and diversity of Jewish cultural heritage, and to foster unity, understanding and respect between Jews and the community at large.
Light The Candles will take place at the Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 3 p.m., and at Temple B’nai Torah on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, and pay-as-able for anyone who can’t afford the price tag. Tickets will be available at the door.
This year, Hannukah begins at sunset on Tuesday, Dec. 20 and will be celebrated until sunset on Wednesday, Dec. 28.
