Chanukah 2025

Need a refresher on the Chanukah blessings? Click HERE.

See Or Shalom's full list of Chanukah 2025 programs below, and click on any of them to read more.

Ways to give back this Chanukah:

• Donate to the Chanukah Toy & Winter Clothing Drive

  This annual drive benefiting the Chicago Chesed Fund brings Chanukah joy to Jewish children in Chicagoland. Please drop off items by the religious school entrance, or send Amazon orders directly to the Or shalom Social Action Committee. Click the link above for ideas of what to donate! The last day to donate items is Thursday, December 18.

• Help  "Pack the Pantry" with The Ark  -  Did you notice the giant POD in our parking lot? Pod-ssibly!

  The Ark, the Jewish community food pantry in Northbrook and Chicago (and the same organization we have supported for our High Holy Days food drive), has put out a call to stack its pantries during this increased time of need. We are collecting non-perishable food items at Or Shalom from now until Sunday, January 18 - our Yom Tzedek (Day of Justice) - when J² families will be gathering to sort the items and deliver them to The Ark.

  Click HERE to see what The Ark needs most right now. Now, more than ever, your help is instrumental in keeping its shelves full. Other ways to support The Ark include making a financial donation, shipping items to The Ark, and/or dropping off items at either Ark location.

• Make an End-of-Year Gift to Our Annual Campaign

  For more information about supporting Or Shalom, please contact Jen.

• Support Communities in Need

  Discover ways to volunteer, donate, and advocate for those impacted by SNAP benefit delays and other recent developments.

• Mitzvah Meals (email Betty or Ellen)

  Volunteers are needed to help feed our community! Sign up to shop and pack weekend meals for either 15 or 30 students at local schools. 

Gift Drive update:

Many thanks to everyone who participated in our annual "dreidel tag" gift drive for JCFS! With your generosity, our community was once again able to sponsor holiday gifts for 50 under-resourced children. With a special "shout out" to our 7th and 8th grade students who prepared the materials for the gift drive, and to our high school youth groupers who sponsored two children.

Visit the Women of Or Shalom Gift Shop

The Women of Or Shalom gift shop, located right off the main temple lobby, is ready to meet your Chanukah needs. Come in and get beautiful candles, dreidels, books, gifts, games and more for family fun!

We're open on Wednesdays from 5:00 - 8:00pm and Sundays from 9:00am - 12:00pm (or email wosgiftshopLC@gmail.com to schedule an appointment).

• Sunday, December 7
  • 4:00pm - Menorah Magic
• Wednesday, December 10
  • 6:00pm - Men's Club Latke Making
• Sunday, December 14
  • 9:00am - J² Latke Breakfast Hosted by the Men's Club
  • 12:30pm - Jewnior Youth Group Winter Party
  • 4:00pm - Jewish Rock Radio Chanukah Concert
• Tuesday, December 16
  • 6:30pm - Chavurah Chanukah Party
• Wednesday, December 17
  • 6:30pm - Team Or Shalom Chanukah Movie Night & Latke Bar
• Friday, December 19
  • Featured Community Event: 6:00pm - Shabbanukah!
  • Don your “ugly” Chanukah sweater for this Or Shalom tradition and Shabbat fan favorite. Don’t forget to bring a non-perishable canned item for our giant can menorah!
• Wednesday, December 24
  • 1:00pm - Tikkun Olam PADS Volunteering
• Friday, December 26
  • 6:00pm - Chinese Food Shabbat
• Wednesday, January 14
  • Women of Or Shalom Post-Chanukah Dinner Celebration (time TBA)