It’s a very different Chanukah this year, but staff across Kisharon have pulled out all the stops to create a buzz of excitement.

At Tuffkid Nursery, from learning about Judah Maccabee to making clay menorahs and doughnuts, no part of the Chanukah tradition has been overlooked.

This week a lesson in oil production will give children the chance to press olives, and the children will be making their own latkes, with a little help from nursery staff.

In a less conventional activity, darkening a nursery room and playing with light-up toys and torches taught the children different ways of making light.

An Eitan Freilich concert, a snow parade and a doughnut and latke tasting session, as well as the lighting of the chanukiah every day will make Chanukah week one the children at Kisharon Noé School will remember always. There’s also an exciting interschool chanukiah lighting event and a visit from Tribe’s mobile chanukiah.

“Chanukah week at school is going to be fantastic,” said RE Teacher Ella Weil.

One highlight of the week for everyone, including families, volunteers and staff was a Magic and Miracles Zoom show on Sunday featuring magician Ian Manly, a joint event between Kisharon and Alei Tzion Synagogue in Hendon.

There are Zoom parties most nights of the week and activities including doughnut baking, candle and dreidel making, Chanukah bingo and much more. Langdon students and Kisharon staff are invited to join all the communal events.

Staff honed their Chanukah know how in teach-in sessions run by Rabbi Beni, Kisharon’s Jewish Life Facilitator, with help from Debbie who Kisharon supports. She gave a talk to a group of 30 staff about the festival.

College students played a key role in the celebrations by assembling Chanukah goodie bags which volunteers delivered to the homes of people Kisharon supports.

Inside were chanukiahs, candles, chocolate coins, a dreidel, fun glow sticks and essential information about the week of excitement ahead, including invitations to the Zoom parties.

Much of the programme is underpinned by Kisharon’s volunteers who will lend a hand in supported living with candle lighting. In addition to delivering Chanukah packs to homes, volunteers will be having a Zoom Chanukah party of their own – and have extended invitations to all those Kisharon supports, their families and to staff.