Fun-Filled Hanukkah Family Day at The Jewish Museum Sunday, December 14

NEW YORK, NY – The Jewish Museum will present its annual Hanukkah Family Day, a fun-filled day of activities, on Sunday, December 14 from 12 noon to 4 pm.  Kids can construct a sculptural Hanukkah menorah with funky found objects, dance to the music of ShirLaLa, see the Hanukkah story brought to life through a drawing performance with Jeff Hopkins, and explore the Museum’s world-famous collection of Hanukkah lamps.

This event is free with Museum admission, and for children age 3 and up.   Adults are asked to accompany their children.  For further information regarding family programs at The Jewish Museum, the public may call 212.423.3337 or visit TheJewishMuseum.org/programs/families.  The Jewish Museum is located at Fifth Avenue and 92nd Street, Manhattan.

HANUKKAH FAMILY DAY EVENTS  – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14

Noon – 4 pm

HUGE DROP-IN ART WORKSHOP

Families can choose from four projects:

Glittering Hanukkah Sculptures – Design playful Hanukkah sculptures with found objects such as wood shapes, spools, and metallic forms inspired by the striking jewelry and objects in the exhibition, Helena Rubinstein: Beauty Is Power, as well as Hanukkah lamps in the Museum’s permanent exhibition.

Light Paintings – Using light as a theme, paint abstract works of art inspired by the vibrant paintings of Lee Krasner and Norman Lewis. Begin with a black canvas and use vibrant color to illuminate this work of art.

Menorah Mural – Drawing inspiration from contemporary Hanukkah lamps and mosaics in the Museum’s collection, families will be able to collaborate on a giant menorah collage using magazine paper, colored tape, fabric, and many other random items.

Dreidel Decorating – Kids will decorate wooden dreidels with whimsical patterns and colors.

2:30 pm

PERFORMANCES: SHIRLALA

Kid rocker Shira Kline will perform a musical re-enactment of the Hanukkah story, full of heroes, drama, excitement, and miracles inspired by the power of light. Hear tunes from her holiday album such as “Chanukah Bamba,” “This Little Light of Mine,” and more.

Shira Kline, aka ShirLaLa, is an award-winning New York based performer and Jewish music educator. The Jewish Week selected Shira as one of 2011’s “36 Under 36, The New Re‐Engineers” of Jewish life.  ShirLaLa and her kiddie‐rock band have performed in hundreds of venues throughout the United States as well as stages in England, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Her three Jewish kiddie‐rock albums are a favorite with libraries, families, classrooms and synagogues. Shira serves on the faculty of the Hava NaShira Music Institute and is also a founding company member of Storahtelling: Ritual Theatre Revived where she performs as a maven, ritual leader, actor, writer, director and musician.

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

DRAWING PERFORMANCE: HANUKKAH STORIES COMING TO LIFE

Kids will see a playful tale unfold in this eye-catching performance using live drawing, animation, and narration with sound and movement. On wall-sized paper Jeff Hopkins brings characters and action to life in this one-of-a-kind happening created for Hanukkah Family Day.

Jeff Hopkins is a storyteller, illustrator, and educator. He performs his drawing/storytelling shows for students and families at schools and museums all over the country. For the past 15 years, Jeff has worked as a teaching artist for arts organizations such as the Museum of Modern Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, Guggenheim Museum and the American Ballet Theater. In addition he has received honors for his illustrated children’s books.

1:30 pm and 3:00 pm

SPOTLIGHT TOURS

An educator will conduct a brief gallery tour with a sketching opportunity that will spotlight Hanukkah lamps from around the world from The Jewish Museum’s renowned collection.

All day

SELF-GUIDED FAMILY EXHIBITION TOURS

Specialized printed family gallery guides for the exhibitions, Helena Rubinstein:  Beauty Is Power and From the Margins: Lee Krasner | Norman Lewis, 1945-1952, and to Hanukkah lamps on view in the Museum’s permanent exhibition, Culture and Continuity: The Jewish Journey, will be available.

The Edgar M. Bronfman Center for Education’s school and family programs are supported by endowed funds established by the Bronfman Family, the Muriel and William Rand Fund, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, the Helena Rubinstein Foundation, Rosalie Klein Adolf, the Kekst Family, and Mrs. Ida C. Schwartz in memory of Mr. Bernard S. Schwartz.  Family programming is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.