Bay Ridge got lit during last week’s tree-lightings, now it’s gonna stay lit — for eight days! That’s right, Hanukkah is upon-uk-us and the Ridge couldn’t shine brighter during the Jewish festival of lights.
On Friday, forget about cooking and go grab some latkes — one of the holiday’s traditional treats. Gulf Coast Delicatessen’s closure left a big, latke-sized hole in our hearts, but you can get still get potato pancakes in the 11209 — they just may not be like bubbe made. You can go to Polonica (7214 Third Ave. between 72nd and 73rd streets) for Polish placki ziemniaczane or Schnitzel Haus (7319 Fifth Ave. between 73rd and 74th streets) to get German reibekuchen.
Sunday is the first day of Hanukkah, and the Bay Ridge Jewish Center (405 81st St. at Fourth Avenue) is firing up the menorah at 2 pm. Go light the first candle and donate a toy to the center’s holiday toy drive.
Then, hustle over to the Chabad of Bay Ridge (373 Bay Ridge Ave. between Third and Fourth avenues) for a Hanukkah party followed by a second menorah-lighting starting at 4:30 pm. Kids and adults can create Hanukkah crafts and press their own oil. Plus the big man, Judah “the Seleucid-slayer” Maccabee, will make an appearance. And you can go back the next seven days for public menorah-lightings at 7 pm!
If area eateries couldn’t sate your latke lust, go back to the Bay Ridge Jewish Center on Friday, Dec. 11 for a Hanukkah-Shabbat two-fer — “young professionals latke Shabbat.” It’s all the candles you can handle, plus food and drink for just $10! Service starts at 6:30 pm.
Then close out the holiday at the center’s family Hanukkah Shabbat at 10 am on Dec. 12. There will be music, an interactive sermon and a Kiddush lunch to cap it all off.
Chag sameach, Bay Ridge!
