Celebrate Hanukkah with the Jewish Museum, In Person or Virtually

New York, NY, November 1, 2021 – Celebrate Hanukkah with the Jewish Museum! Highlights include an exhibition of the Museum’s renowned collection of Hanukkah lamps; special family programs, including an in-person Hanukkah hunt; and unique menorahs, dreidels, and gift items available for sale in the Jewish Museum Shop. Hanukkah begins on the evening of Sunday, November 28, and runs through Monday, December 6. Plan for a safe and enjoyable visit—purchase timed tickets and review visitor protocols of the museum, including proof of vaccination requirements here. 

The Jewish Museum Hanukkah Lamp Collection

The Jewish Museum’s collection of Hanukkah lamps is the largest in the world at nearly 1,050 pieces. Visitors can explore the lamps in our collection online, or in person in the exhibition Accumulations: Hanukkah Lamps, featuring over 80 Hanukkah lamps from North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, ranging in date from the Renaissance to the present. 

Listen to audio on select Menorahs currently on view including artist Kehinde Wiley talking about a portable Hanukkah lamp and historian Jenna Weissman Joselit discussing a lamp made of 8 small lead chairs. Watch an ASL interpretation of the Hanukkah story by poet Douglas Ridloff. Visit Tours.TheJewishMuseum.org for more. Audio Tours sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies. 

Family Programs

Hanukkah Hunt Gallery program

Sunday, December 5, 2021, 10:30 am to 3 pm ET

In-person drop-in program

Explore striking Hanukkah menorahs from around the world at the Jewish Museum. Embark on a playful hunt, draw your discoveries in a sketchbook, experiment with whimsical shapes, touch replicas of artifacts, and chat with Jewish Museum Educators about what you encounter in this special opportunity to see treasured works of art in person during the holiday. For ages 4 & Up. Free with Museum Admission; children 18 & under are free. Advance timed tickets required. Click here to select December 5 between 10:30 am and 2:00 pm for your timed entry slot. 

Josh & The Jamtones

Friday, November 26, 10 am ET

Free YouTube Concert Premiere

Jump to the roots-reggae-pop tunes of Josh & The Jamtones with sounds that 

bring the whole family to their feet. Hear reimagined classics such as “Oh Hanukkah,” songs with a modern twist including “Hanukkah Time,” and “Let Your Lite Shine Brite” to get into the spirit of the holiday. RSVP by November 23rd to receive a direct link through email at the time of the premiere. 

Visit our Hanukkah YouTube playlist for previous concerts and art workshop videos related to the holiday.

The Jewish Museum Shop

The Jewish Museum Shop is the ultimate destination for Hanukkah, with a range of menorahs, dreidels, gifts, and more to help celebrate the holiday. 

The Shop has many kinds of Menorahs available at different price points. New to the Shop are fantastical animal Menorahs by Inna Olshanshy, such as this bull ($160) or ram ($650). Keeping with the animal theme is this perfect dinosaur lamp ($55). Have fun with the Dancing Lights Musical Menorah ($24); not only does this silver electric menorah light as a traditional menorah, but it also plays music while the lights dance to the beat! The Saltware Meorrot Hanukkah Menorah ($264) is a unique menorah designed with 9 individual candle holders made of pure salt from Israel that can be assembled in various combinations: as a Hanukkah menorah or as a pair of Shabbat candle holders. 

Handmade in Israel by JUDATLV, a leather dreidel, available in black or brown ($50 each), features Hebrew letters printed in gold metallic to accent the brass handle. This brass dreidel made in Israel by Judaica artist Orit Grader features a mosaic pattern ($88). These charming hand-painted folk art dreidels ($8) from Russia are made of linden wood and come in male or female figures. 

Don’t forget gifts for the special people in your life! For your bubbie, why not this menorah tray ($45)? Mom would love this heart necklace by Mega Meria ($155). For the littles, there is a Hanukkah Menorah play set ($28). How about these Hanukkah socks ($8) for dad or granddad? And don’t forget your dog, with this fun pull toy ($9)! 

Exhibitions on View

On view at the Jewish Museum during Hanukkah are the exhibitions Afterlives: Recovering the Lost Stories of Looted Art (on view through January 9, 2022) and The Hare with Amber Eyes (on view from November 19, 2022 through May 15, 2022), and Scenes from the Collection (ongoing).