COMMUNITY-WIDE HOLIDAY EVENTS

On the 4th day of Sukkot, the JCC Golden Age Club and new community friends gathered for a festive celebration. They enjoyed delicious seasonal foods, sharing stories and shaking the lulav. Everyone was thankful to be able to gather and celebrate in person.

In October, more than 300 people attended a community-wide celebration of the Sukkot festival. Children enjoyed pony rides, train tours, petting zoo, face painting, inflatable slides, rock climbing, and live music. Cozy sukkahs were set up side by side with our community partner agencies where kids played games, enjoyed arts and crafts, and got an opportunity to spend time under the schach, the special temporary roof that traditionally provides shade for the sukkah hut. Leaders from the local synagogues joined the festivities and beautifully enhanced the spirit of the day.

The event was organized by Wendy Soos, Executive Director of the JCC Princeton Mercer Bucks & Abrams Camps. The JCC’s devotion to enhancing families’ connection to Jewish life is paramount to their mission. Events like these bring families together, infuse Jewish culture and tradition, and help strengthen the community.

The Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks helped bring this event to life by serving as a main supporter and financial underwriter. The Federation understands the importance of investing in Jewish life. Each event is an opportunity to bring people together to share in our Jewish cultural traditions, feel joy among friends, neighbors, and extended family, and foster a strong Jewish community.

JCC Golden Agers gathered for a fun Hanukkah celebration with friends.

This year’s Sukkot Fall Fest was a great success! I loved seeing so many families spanning multiple generations playing, exploring, and connecting. Our community would benefit from more opportunities like this one to be outside together, having fun in a Jewish context, meeting new people and deepening relationships.

- Rabbi Adena Blum Beth Chaim

This year, the Jewish Federation, the JCC Princeton Mercer Bucks & Abrams Camps, and the local synagogues set out to deliver a very welcoming, festive, and joyous Hanukkah celebration.

Festivities over the course of 8 days drew more than 500 people including children, teens, families, adults, and senior citizens.

Hanukkah activities included Moo Shu & Movies (teen movie night and kosher Chinese food) at Beth El Synagogue, Hanukkah on Ice at Palmer Square with the JCC, guitar sing-a-long & s’mores at Temple Micah, grand outdoor Menorah lighting ceremony with The Jewish Center, PJ Library Hanukkah Pajamukkah stories & crafts at Beth Chaim, and an unforgettable JCC family movie event in a private theater.

Community events like these are essential to a strong and vibrant Jewish life. They provide opportunities for our community members to connect not only to each other, but to our Jewish roots.

Our family had so much fun seeing big Menorah lighting in Palmer Square. Watching my kids faces light up in awe and amazement and be surrounded by other families who celebrate Hanukkah was a beautiful experience. Afterwards, we had lots of giggles ice skating and enjoyed Chanukah cookies and hot cocoa with the JCC!

- Program Participant