The last night of Chanukah falls on Friday, making this Friday’s Tot Shabbat at Temple Beth Emeth an extra special evening, Tot Chanukah! Tot Shabbat is a special Shabbat service every Friday night for families with young children, so Tot Chanukah is a special Chanukah service with crafts, songs, Shabbat dinner, and lots and lots of latkes. It is open to the community. On this night, families bring their menorahs, and because it is the last night of Chanukah, all nine candles are lit, and the sight of so many fully lit menorahs together is, according to my friend, Zoe, “Amazing!”

From Temple Beth Emeth (Washtenaw Jewish News, December 2009/January 2010):

Tot Chanukah-Tot Shabbat—stories, music, crafts and latkes

Friday December 18, at 5:30 p.m.

The Tot Shabbat Service for the last night of Chanukah will include lighting the menorah and special stories for Chanukah. After the service, all are invited to stay for the Tot Chanukah celebration with crafts, songs, and the normal Tot Shabbat dinner ($5) that will include latkes. Reservations are encouraged to help with planning quantities, but are not necessary. To reserve, call the TBE (Temple Beth Emeth) office, at 665-4744.

Shabbat Chanukah service

Friday, December 18, at 7:30pm

Celebrate Shabbat at TBE (Temple Beth Emeth) on this last night of Chanukah, and join in the tradition of lighting dozens of menorahs at the end of the service.

Temple Beth Emeth is located at 2309 Packard, Ann Arbor.

Frances Kai-Hwa Wang is a second-generation Chinese American from California who now divides her time between Ann Arbor and the Big Island of Hawaii. She is editor of IMDiversity.com Asian American Village, lead multicultural contributor for AnnArbor.com, and a contributor for New America Media's Ethnoblog. She is a popular speaker on Asian Pacific American and multicultural issues. Check out her website at franceskaihwawang.com, her blog at franceskaihwawang.blogspot.com, and she can be reached at fkwang888@gmail.com.