Chanukah Challenge

The JOI Chanukah Challenge

Each night of Chanukah, we challenge you to the activities below! Take a picture of your family completing each challenge and post it with the hashtag #8nightsofJOI. Every post earns your family a raffle ticket toward a prize — post as many times as you'd like.

Night One — Celebrate Chanukah!

Kick off the festival of lights with the world's Largest LEGO Menorah and join us at our Community Family Chanukah Celebration — yummy Chanukah treats, fun activities and live performances for families with children and teens of all ages.

Night Two — Make Lotsa Latkes!

What's the best part about Chanukah? The latkes of course! Use our favorite recipe to make your very own latkes (Trader Joe's latkes count too). We eat food fried in oil on Chanukah to remember the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days.

Night Three — Dreidel Scattergories

Play a traditional game of dreidel or try this fun adaptation: spin the dreidel and whichever side it lands on (נ,ג,ה,ש), players have two minutes to think up words in a category starting with that letter (N, G, H, Sh). Longest (or most creative!) list wins.

Night Four — Motto of the Maccabee

Make a family "battle cry" or motto and a banner displaying it. Discuss why this is your family mantra. The word Maccabee is an acronym for the battle cry "Mi kamocha ba'eilim Hashem" — "Who is like You among the mighty, Hashem."

Night Five — Chanukah Hunt

Give family members clues to where you've hidden symbols of the holiday: chocolate gelt, paper latkes, a dreidel, a new book to share. Up the adventure by doing it with the lights out and only a flashlight!

Night Six — The Shabbat Chanukah Disconnect

In honor of Shabbat Chanukah, enjoy the candles as a family for 30 minutes after lighting. Challenge every member of the family to turn off their phones and find the JOI in connecting with your family while totally disconnected from the world.

Night Seven — Share the Light

Tis the season for giving! Choose a friend (or a few) to deliver goodies to — a card, baked goods, or a special gift to let them know you're thinking of them.

Night Eight — Publicize the Miracle

Light the menorah proudly in your front window. Gather the family for a photo and feel the warmth and light of being a part of something bigger.