Celebrate Hanukkah Sonoma-Style with Helicopter Gelt Drops and Meyer Lemon Sufganiyot

Sonoma County will celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights with a variety of traditional — and not so traditional — events and culinary treats. Here’s what’s in store.

Hanukkah, The Jewish Festival of Lights, is observed over eight days and nights, and there are a variety of ways to take part in the celebration and observance of the holiday in Sonoma County. From events hosted by local Jewish congregations to special meals from popular restaurants and bakeries, the area is replete with traditional — and not so traditional — Hanukkah events and culinary treats.

On each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, Jewish families gather around the menorah to recite a special blessing and light another candle on the nine branch candelabrum until all candles are aglow on the last night of the holiday (eight candles for each night, as well as a shamash candle, used to light the other candles).

Latkes (fried potato pancakes) with sour cream and applesauce are traditionally enjoyed during Hanukkah, as well as sufganiyot, a deep-fried jam or custard doughnut topped with powdered sugar. Family and friends exchange presents during this time and enjoy playing dreidel for gelt (usually chocolate coins covered in gold foil).

Hanukkah Events

The Chabad Jewish Center of Petaluma

Chanukah Party Limo: Celebrations will get off to a festive start for students with a Chanukah Party Limo taking sixth- to 12th-graders to San Francisco in style. Rolling to the beat of Hanukkah music, the limo leaves Petaluma and arrives in Union Square for the lighting and celebration at the Bill Graham Menorah, “the first giant public menorah outside of Israel.” Registration is required.

Chanukah Celebration with Helicopter Gelt Drop: The Chabad Jewish Center takes its annual Chanukah Celebration at the Petaluma Fairgrounds to “new heights” with a special Helicopter Gelt Drop. The event also includes a Grand Menorah Lighting with community leaders and guests, LED and fire performance, jelly doughnuts, hot latkes, live DJ Chanukah music, the “world’s biggest dreidel,” an interactive menorah game, a grand raffle and Chanukah crafts. Free with RSVP.

Chanukah Shoppe: Those interested in getting ready for the holiday can visit The Chanukah Shoppe pop-up store in downtown Petaluma where candles, menorahs, dreidels, chocolate gelt, gift items, decorations and toys will be available for purchase. 205 Keller St., Suite 101, Petaluma.

Among the other Hanukkah events sponsored by Chabad Jewish Center of Petaluma are a menorah workshop for kids, a Resin + Rosé women’s social, as well as a Chanukah Shabbat Dinner.

B’nai Israel Jewish Center in Petaluma 

On the last night of Hanukkah, B’nai Israel Jewish Center in Petaluma hosts its “Around the World in Eight Days” event, which will include latkes from around the world, sufganiyot, cocktails, mocktails and “dreidels made of everything but clay.” Space is limited.

Congregation Ner Shalom in Cotati

Ner Shalom in Cotati hosts a Chanukah Party that includes games and activities for families, singalong, stories, a dinner of salmon and latkes, and candle lighting. The congregation encourages guests to bring their own menorah to the party.

The Joseph Weingarten Chabad Jewish Center in Santa Rosa

This Chanukah Festival takes place at Montgomery Village in Santa Rosa and includes a live band, Jeremy the Juggler, a Grand Menorah lighting, doughnuts, latkes, crafts, prizes and more. The Healdsburg Chanukah Celebration is held at Oakville Grocery.

Congregation Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa

Shomrei Torah hosts a tisch-style Shabbat Hanukkah Party that includes a candle lighting, latkes, doughnuts, dreidels and music. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own menorah with candles and wear their “Hanukkah gear.” Reservations required.

Congregation Beth Ami of Santa Rosa

Beth Ami hosts two events during the holiday: A takeout latke fundraiser and a Chanukah Latke Dinner, which includes card and board games, a short service and candle lighting, a latke and salad dinner, as well as music and singing. The event is free, but donations are accepted.

Congregation Shir Shalom in Sonoma

Featuring a Chinese buffet dinner and a showing of the movie Yentl (starring Barbra Streisand), Shir Shalom’s Hanukkah Party also includes the lighting of menorahs in Burlingame Hall. The Congregation will also hold a Last Night Community Menorah Lighting with latkes, hot chocolate and lively songs in front of Burlingame Hall.

Grossman’s Noshery & Bar

This Jewish-style restaurant and deli in Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square will offer a takeout brisket dinner that includes sweet and sour braised brisket with horseradish cream; four potato leek latkes; spinach salad with dates, feta and pistachios; pomegranate molasses roasted carrots; braided challah loaf and two sufganiyot.

Grossman’s will also have a variety of a la carte items for the holiday, such as Loaded Knish with caramelized onions, farmers cheese, corned beef, sauerkraut and gruyere cheese; Smoked and Pickled Fish Board with lox, kippered salmon, smoked salmon rillette, pickled herring, mackerel and matzoh crackers; as well as baked goods, such as a half loaf of chocolate or cinnamon babka and chocolate-orange or brown sugar-almond Rugelach.

Zoftig Eatery

Zoftig Eatery in Santa Rosa is making latkes and cinnamon-walnut rugelach for Hanukkah that will be available for pickup.

Marla Bakery

Marla Bakery, which opened a new location in Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square, will be offering a blue and gold Sufganiyot Box with four of the Hanukkah treats. The sufganiyot come in two flavors — Meyer lemon cream and dulce de leche cream.

Johnny Doughnuts

Johnny Doughnuts sells a Hanukkah Gift Box that includes 12 Mini Wildberry Bismarks dusted in sugar and wrapped in fall twine.

Penngrove Market

Penngrove Market is offering a Hanukkah Dinner for four that will be hot, ready-to-eat and available for pickup. The spread includes beef brisket, potato vegetable latkes, matzoh ball soup and a green salad with honey-lemon dressing. Make advance reservations at the market.

Ethel’s Delicatessen

In Petaluma, Ethel’s Delicatessen is offering latkes, golden raisin challah and handmade milk chocolate gelt.

Four hot organic latkes served with organic sour cream (organic local applesauce is also available as an add-on) will be available for dining in, pickup and delivery. Preorders can be placed for Ethel’s organic, round, braided golden raisin challah, and the handmade milk chocolate gelt, made by Zingermans in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is available throughout Hanukkah.

Harvey’s Gourmet Donuts

Harvey’s Gourmet Donuts in Sonoma will be selling powdered sugar and raspberry jam mini doughnuts for Hanukkah (gluten-free versions available). They also will have “Hanukkah sprinkles” for the doughnuts. Customers can purchase a dozen mini doughnuts or Harvey’s famous “single” — a homemade doughnut that comes in a box and can be given as a gift.

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By Sonoma Magazine Staff