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Public Invited To Discover, Celebrate Hanukkah

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By LAURA FRAZIER

lfrazier@tampatrib.com

Published: December 3, 2008

BRANDON - Members of Congregation Beth Shalom of Brandon will share treasured holiday traditions with friends and neighbors of all faiths during their annual celebration of the Jewish Festival of Lights.

Temple member Carol Balent said the synagogue holds a Hanukkah festival each year for children in its religious school and youth group programs, but members decided this year to open the festivities to the public.

"Everything is free and it's open to everyone," Balent said.

Temple volunteers will make and serve potato latkes with sour cream and applesauce, along with homemade jelly donuts. There will be games, crafts, storytelling, a bake sale and Israeli dancers.

The festival will feature traditional dreidel games and the lighting of the menorah.

"It's a nice learning experience for those who want to learn about different religions," she said.
Congregation Beth Shalom is a Reform synagogue established in 1990. Balent said the 150 families in the congregation stay true to its philosophy of welcoming one and all to the synagogue.

"We are pretty unique," she said. "A lot of Jewish people who are nonaffiliated feel perhaps they can't join us, but we just don't want to leave anyone out."
Temple members are paying for the festival themselves so they can offer the food and festivities free to the public.

"Times are so hard now for everyone," Balent said. "It will be a fun, festive holiday for everyone."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Hanukkah Festival
WHEN: 11 a.m. -2 p.m. Dec. 21

WHERE: Congregation Beth Shalom, 706 Bryan Rd., Brandon

COST: Free

INFO: Call (813) 681-6547 or go to www.bethshalom-brandon .org.

Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 657-4523.

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