CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio -- Hanukah, the Jewish festival of light is celebrated this year starting Friday, Dec. 12 by Temple Israel Ner Tamid at 1732 Lander Rd. in Mayfield Heights. The public is invited to the celebration. A menorah lighting will take place 5:30 p.m. each night, Sunday, Dec. 14 through Sunday, Dec. 21 as Rabbi Matt Eisenberg lights the giant chanukiah outside the temple.
On the sixth night, 7:30 p.m. Friday Dec. 19 the congregation will hold a brief shabbat service then enjoy latkes, jelly donuts, dreidels and gold chocolate coins. The klezmer band, Yiddishe Cup, will play a selection of klezmer and Israeli classics featuring Bert Stratton on clarinet and harmonica and Steven Greenman on violin.
The 22 annual Rock For All Ages concert kicks off 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 at 4 p.m. with Promised Band featuring Noah Budin, singer, songwriter and storyteller. They will play original and classic Chanukah songs, including a version of Julie Silver's Dreidel Song, the Ladino Ochos Kandelikas, and Tom Lehrer's comedy classic Hanukah in Santa Monica, Peter Yarro's Light One Candle along with Israeli folk songs. Band members include Celia Hollander Lewis, Rob Ticherich, Alan Douglass and Steve Gordon along with Budin. Budin released three CDs of original music and published a songbook with 22 original songs. The cost to attend the concert is $5, with children under age 5 admitted free. Pay cash at the door.
For questions about any of the activities, contact the temple at 440-473-5120 or [email protected].
Childs' play: Temple Emanu El invites all families with young children up to age six for a morning of indoor play starting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 at We Rock The Spectrum. It will include Shabat activities and snacks. Free and open to the public, the event is part of the temple's building community program. The venue is located at 700 Beta Dr., Suite 300 in Mayfield.
Shop with a cop: Saturday, Dec. 13 Bainbridge Township police officers will host nine children Dec. 13 to shop for toys and clothing at the Market Place Drive Target store. Residents can contribute to the fund year-round, according to police chief Jon Bokovitz.
Dog tags for sale: Add some bling to your dog's collar with a 2026 dog tag and license if you are a Geauga County resident. The tag helps to ID your pet and can help to reunite lost dogs with their owners. The tags come with an O-ring for easy attachment to the dog's collar. Licenses are now on sale through the county auditor's office. Through Jan. 30 the cost is $15. After that the price doubles to $30. Three-year tags are $45 and you can purchase a lifetime tag for $150. Owners of new dogs can purchase their tags any time during the year.
Tags are available at the auditor's office located at 231 Main St. in Chardon or online at auditor.geauga.oh.gov. In addition, licenses are available at about a dozen other locations throughout the county. These include All About Dogs, Auburn Animal Care, Centerra Co-op, Geauga County Dog Warden and the Geauga County License Bureau, Geauga Feed & Grain, Geauga Humane Society, Nauvoo Family Market, Pet Supplies Plus and VCA Burton.
Living the green life: You can join everyone's favorite green ogre and help him reclaim his swamp from an invasion of motley fairytale creatures as Chagrin Valley Little Theatre presents Shrek The Musical live on stage weekends through 14-Dec. 14. Shows begin 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays for evening performances. Matinees are offered 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sundays, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7 and 14.
Based on the Dreamworks Animation Motion Picture and the book by William Steig, the musical comedy follows the story of a grumpy green creature who lives a solitary life until characters such as Three Little Pigs invade his home after being banished by Lord Farquaad. Shrek strikes a deal with Farquaad to regain his home by rescuing Princess Fiona who is trapped in a tower guarded by a dragon. The musical explores themes of beauty, acceptance and love through catchy songs, dazzling costumes and architype characters.
Tickets are $24 for general admission with discounts to $21 for seniors, students and military. Contact [email protected] or call 440-247-8955. The theater is located at 40 River St. in Chagrin Falls.