Young Families will start the evening at 5PM with singing Hanukkah songs led by Cantors Brook and Rosenberg. Then at 5:30PM we invite the whole community to a latke dinner followed by lighting the Hanukkiah with the AES clergy. Rhythm and Jews, the U of Chicago Jewish A Cappella group, will perform as well as our Anshe Emet Youth Choir. At 6:30PM, Young Families head home for bedtime, and our older families and all adults are encouraged to participate in our Eight Candles of Hanukkah Stations. We hope to see you there!
Please note: Parking will be extremely limited. We encourage using a rideshare service or public transit.
Members
Adults (ages 18+) – $20
Children (ages 5-17) – $10
Children (ages 0-4) – Free
Non-Members
Adults (ages 18+) – $25
Children (ages 0-17) – $15
Children (ages 0-4) – Free
Rhythm and Jews!
As we enter Hanukkah, we are reminded that even the smallest light has the power to transform the world around us. Each night of the holiday calls us not only to illuminate our homes but also to bring light into the lives of others. Many in our community and beyond are facing hardship, hunger, displacement, or isolation, and this season invites us to respond with compassion and generosity.
In that spirit, we encourage you to join us in supporting a range of organizations whose work reflects the hope and resilience of Hanukkah. Each night below highlights partners doing meaningful work across Chicago and throughout the world. We invite you to learn, engage, and give as you are able. Together, our collective light can brighten even the darkest places.
The Ark
The Ark serves as a vital support system within Chicago’s Jewish community, offering free,
comprehensive services to individuals and families experiencing hardship. Their work
includes a kosher food pantry, medical and dental services, mental-health counseling,
housing support, case management, and financial assistance. With dignity and
compassion, The Ark ensures that no one in the community faces difficult moments alone.
Website: https://arkchicago.org
Text: “One who locks one’s doors and eats and drinks with one’s family, but does not offer food and drink to the poor and suffering—this celebration is not considered a mitzvah; it is a celebration of one’s own stomach.” (Rambam’s Mishneh Torah, Laws of Festivals 6:18)
D19 Mutual Aid
D19 Mutual Aid is a volunteer-led network supporting neighbors on Chicago’s North Side
through food distributions, supply drives, and direct assistance. Their model centers on
building strong, reciprocal relationships within the community and ensuring that families
and individuals have access to essential resources during times of need.
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/19thdistrict/home
Magen David Adom
Magen David Adom is Israel’s national emergency medical and disaster relief organization.
It provides lifesaving care every day, responding to medical emergencies, natural
disasters, and crisis situations. Through its blood services, first responder training, and
emergency operations, Magen David Adom plays a crucial role in protecting the health and
safety of people throughout Israel.
Website: https://afmda.org
Text: “Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor” (Leviticus 19:16)
Nourishing Hope
Nourishing Hope is one of Chicago’s leading food and social service providers. They
distribute millions of meals each year while also offering mental-health counseling, case
management, and support for individuals and families navigating food insecurity. Their
work combines essential resources with dignified, community-centered care.
Website: https://www.nourishinghopechi.org
Shalva
Shalva provides free, confidential, culturally sensitive support to survivors of domestic
abuse in the Jewish community. Their work includes long-term counseling, advocacy,
safety planning, and educational programs that promote healthy relationships and raise
awareness. Shalva serves as a compassionate lifeline to those seeking safety and healing.
Website: https://shalvaonline.org
Text: “Anyone who saves one life, it is as if they saved an entire world.” (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5)
National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC)
The National Immigrant Justice Center defends the rights of immigrants, refugees, and
asylum seekers through comprehensive legal services, litigation, and policy advocacy.
NIJC’s work ensures that vulnerable individuals have access to representation and can
navigate an increasingly complex immigration system with dignity and protection.
Website: https://immigrantjustice.org
Looking up, he saw three men standing near him. As soon as he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them and, bowing to the ground, (3) he said, “My lords, if it please you, do not go on past your servant. (4) Let a little water be brought; bathe your feet and recline under the tree.
Text:
“Enlarge the site of your tent,
Extend the size of your dwelling” (Isaiah 54:2)
Red Tent Fund
The Red Tent Fund strengthens programs that empower Jewish women and girls by
supporting leadership development, mentorship, community-building initiatives, and
educational opportunities. Through its grants and partnerships, the fund helps create
environments where women and girls can thrive and feel deeply connected to Jewish life.
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR)
ICIRR is a statewide coalition dedicated to uplifting immigrant and refugee communities in
Illinois. Their work focuses on civic engagement, grassroots organizing, policy advocacy,
education, and building a more inclusive state. ICIRR supports families seeking safety,
stability, and opportunity.
Website: https://www.icirr.org
Text: “Looking up, Abraham saw three men standing near him. As soon as he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them” (Genesis 18:2)
American Jewish World Service (AJWS)
American Jewish World Service is a global organization dedicated to ending poverty and
promoting human rights in the developing world. Rooted in Jewish values, AJWS partners
with grassroots groups working to defend women’s rights, protect LGBTQ+ people,
respond to humanitarian crises, advance democracy, and build more just societies.
Website: https://ajws.org
Lincoln Park Community Shelter
The Lincoln Park Community Shelter provides supportive services and interim housing for
adults experiencing homelessness. Their model focuses on helping participants build
stability through case management, employment support, access to healthcare, and
community connection. LPCS empowers individuals to move toward long-term
independence.
Website: https://lpcschicago.org
“Justice, justice shall you pursue” (Deuteronomy 16:20)
HIAS
HIAS is one of the oldest Jewish humanitarian organizations in the world, founded to
protect refugees fleeing persecution. Today, HIAS provides legal support, resettlement
assistance, humanitarian aid, and advocacy for displaced people across the globe. Guided
by the Jewish imperative to welcome the stranger, HIAS supports families on their journeys
to safety and stability.
Website: https://hias.org
Deborah’s Place
Deborah’s Place supports women experiencing homelessness by providing permanent
supportive housing, case management, health and wellness services, and opportunities
for personal growth. Their programs help women heal from trauma, regain stability, and
build brighter futures rooted in dignity and community.
Website: https://www.deborahsplace.org
Text: “Learn to do good. Devote yourselves to justice; Aid the wronged. Uphold the rights of the orphan; Defend the cause of the widow. “(Isaiah 1:17)
Maot Chitim of Greater Chicago
Maot Chitim ensures that Jewish families throughout Chicagoland can celebrate the
holidays with dignity by delivering food packages before Rosh Hashanah and Passover.
Thousands of volunteers gather to pack and deliver boxes filled with holiday staples,
fostering a powerful sense of community and shared responsibility.
Website: https://maotchitim.org
Cradles to Crayons
Cradles to Crayons provides children living in poverty with clothing, shoes, school
supplies, hygiene items, and other essentials they need for daily life. Through volunteer
engagement and strong community partnerships, the organization ensures that children
can learn, play, and grow with confidence.
Website: https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/chicago
Text: And all your children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. (Isaiah 54:13) Do not read ‘your children’ (banayikh), but rather ‘your builders’ (bonayikh). (Berakhot 64a)
MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger
MAZON works to end hunger in the United States and Israel by addressing root causes,
shaping policy, educating communities, and partnering with organizations on the front
lines. Guided by Jewish values, MAZON is committed to ensuring that all people have
consistent access to nutritious food.
Website: https://mazon.org
Bright Star Community Outreach
Bright Star Community Outreach strengthens Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood through
trauma-informed counseling, youth mentorship, violence prevention initiatives, family
support services, and community-based healing programs. Their work creates safer,
healthier environments where individuals and families can thrive.
Website: https://brightstarcommunityoutreach.com
Text: When Rav Huna would eat a meal, he would open his door and say, “Whoever is in need, let that person come and eat.” (Ta’anit 20b)
