West Hartford Synagogue Hosting Major Chanukah Celebration Tonight

Young Israel of West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Young Israel of West Hartford is hosting "The Great Glow" Chanukah celebration, a community-wide Chanukah event taking place tonight, Dec. 17.

It will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Young Israel of West Hartford, 2240 Albany Ave.

The event will culminate in a communal menorah lighting at 6:45 p.m. and is expected to draw approximately 200 attendees from across the Greater Hartford area.

Held both indoors and outdoors, The Great Glow is designed as a highly visual, multigenerational gathering featuring immersive glow elements, children’s activities, music, and traditional Chanukah foods.

The program includes an immersive glow party, kids’ glow activities, a sufganiyot (doughnut) and latke bar, and a community Spin-to-Win Dreidel Competition with a $5,000 prize.

“This is not a holiday about pretending the world isn’t dark,” said David Waren of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford. “Chanukah is a holiday about what we do because it’s sometimes dark.”

Organizers say that the message has taken on added resonance in light of recent global events, underscoring the power of public gatherings centered on hope, visibility, and communal strength.

“Chanukah is our age-old reminder that light truly triumphs over the darkness,” said Rabbi Tuvia Brander, Rabbi of Young Israel of West Hartford. “At a moment when many are searching for connection and reassurance, this gathering is about standing together—families, neighbors, and friends—and choosing to bring light into the public square.”

Admission is free and open to the entire community. Advance RSVPs are available at youngisraelwh.org/rsvp, though walk-ins are welcome.