In this issue:
Hanukkah with Meaning – Bring it on!
Hanukkah begins on Tuesday evening, December 20 and is a perfect time to focus on family gatherings, stories of hope and courage, giving back and bringing light to darkening nights. Check out these facts, theme night ideas, tips for interfaith families, recipes, eco-friendly ideas and crafts that can bring meaning and FUN to your family’s celebration.
Teaching Children Philanthropy – 8th Night of Chanukah
Watch this video with children (ages 5+) to see how they can help others this holiday season. You can also donate now on their behalf to the Jewish Federation of Cleveland or visit www.jewishcleveland.org/8thNight to see eight ways their gift can make a difference. A project of the Women's Philanthropy Initiative.
REFER A FRIEND to Cleveland’s PJ Library® Program by January 15, 2012. You could win an iPad2 & other great prizes!
Every time an eligible Jewish child ages 6 months through 7 years old living in the Cleveland metropolitan area signs up for Cleveland's PJ Library® program and writes your name as the referral source, you’ll be entered into a drawing—the top prize is a brand new iPad2. The more children you refer, the greater your chance of winning! Contest ends January 15, 2012. Learn more and REFER!
GREAT Events and Activities in December!
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Now through 12/23. Operation Warm-Up. Donate items & help the homeless.
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Now through 12/18. The Mandel JCC Playmakers Youth Theatre presents Grease.
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12/10. Julie Silver and Friends in Concert. Join Julie, Fairmount Temple’s two children’s choir, the Chorale, and the Temple Band for Julie Silver and Friends in Concert. 5:30 PM.
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12/14. Camp Wise Info Night. Interactive presentations are geared toward prospective campers and their families. Mandel JCC. 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
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12/16. The Agnon School’s Early Childhood “Shabbat Sing” for children 18 months – age 5. 8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
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12/18. PNC Holiday Rainbow: The Music of Chanukah. Severance Hall. 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
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12/18. Festival Maccabee - Parents’ Programming/Study with B’nai Jeshurun’s Rabbis. Free Children’s activities and childcare will be available during the parent sessions. 11:00 – 12 noon.
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12/18. Menorah ROCK! (Inside the former Joseph-Beth Booksellers space, Legacy Village.) Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon of Free Family Hanukah activities & performances, hands-on crafts, cookie decorating, kosher refreshments and more! 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. (Add link)
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12/19 – 1/6. Winter Vacation Camp for Grades K-6. Travel to Progressive Field Snow Days, go to the bowling alley with your friends, travel around the world in a day and walk on the moon with a giant inflatable bounce house. You can do all this and MUCH MORE at The J's Winter Vacation Camp.
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12/21. PJ Library® Playgroup at Mandel JCC. Enjoy fun, new friends, music and PJ Library stories with Teacher Debbie. 10:30 – 11:00 AM.
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12/21. Hanukkah Extravaganza! at B’nai Jeshurun. Open to the community. Featuring: bounce house, dinner with latkes, dreidel competition, cookie decoration, and The Bubble Lady! 6:00 – 8:00 pm. (add link)
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12/23. Shabbat Unplugged at Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple. (Camp-style service). 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
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12/25. 4th Annual Blue Lunch Christmas Night Latke Party & Matzoh Ball with special guests: Bill "Mr. Stress" Miller & Tom Moore. 8:00 p.m.
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12/31. New Year’s at Noon at The Children’s Museum. Enjoy food, activities & a live DJ. Reservations only. 10:00 AM – 2:00 p.m.
R U a Cleveland Advocate?
We’re developing strategies to ATTRACT people (in their 20s, 30s and 40s) to Cleveland. Natives and “newbies” – we need to hear what YOU think makes Cleveland great! Contact Kelly at krubanenko@jcfcleve.org to learn more and/or join an army of ambassadors!
Know any new babies under 1? Spread the word 'cuz we've got FREE GIFTS (really great tchotchkes) for them! 
Friends and family can register new babies online or call 216.593.2900, ext. 213.
Let My People Grow is a Federation initiative to welcome new babies to Jewish Cleveland
Connect to Cleveland!
This Let My People Knowsletter is brought to you by the team at Strengthening and Growing Jewish Cleveland, a project of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. We're here, online and in-person, to provide information and resources to help you live, play, prosper and CONNECT in Jewish (and not–so–Jewish) Cleveland. Tell us what you want to see in future newsletters.
Check out www.LetMyPeopleKnowCleveland.com for information on where to Live, Connect, Work, Play, Eat, Celebrate, Nest (raise kids), Learn and Volunteer. From job resources to sports leagues, family field trips to no-kids-allowed date nights, we've got the Cleveland scoop. Join us online and in person and tell your friends!