JANUARY 11 • 2024 | 39
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h, what fun was had by one and all at Congregation
Beth Shalom’s Chanu-Con! “Chanu-Con! is a
labor of love, put on by Beth Shalom volunteers
who want to bring the community together at the inclusive
event,” said Beth Rodgers, event founder and participant. “It
is meant for people of all ages, as there is truly something
for everyone at Chanu-Con!”
The array of vendors included everything from art and
skin care to food and books and so much more.
Juliana Schewe-Jackson, director of fitness and education
at Nature’s Playhouse, led a children’s yoga class. “Nature’s
Playhouse had a wonderful time at Chanu-Con! We have
participated in this event for the past few years and it’s
always a fun time,” she said
“This year, there were more children who attended the
kids’ yoga class and they all seemed to have fun and enjoy
the class.”
Longtime participant and local illustrator, muralist and
author Howard Fridson, read his book Our Family Treasure
to a room full of eager listeners. “Cathy and I have enjoyed
the Chanu-Con! experience every year since Beth’s kids
thought up the idea,” Fridson recalled.
“It’s so great to see the shul full of people on that day. I
always reserve a table to sell books I’ve illustrated. In fact,
Beth wrote a book about the event and asked me to do the
drawings. It’s called Welcome to Chanu-Con!”
Guests at Chanu-Con! also had a chance to enjoy live
music by Matthew Ball as well as Joe Marks and Rob
Gutman.
If you are feeling some post-Chanukah blues, don’t worry.
The date is set for Chanu-Con! 2024. “We are excited to wel-
come everyone back for our ninth annual event on Sunday,
Dec. 8, 2024,” Rodgers said.

Oh, What Fun
at Chanu-Con!

STORY BY YEVGENIYA GAZMAN
PHOTOS BY YEVGENIYA GAZMAN AND
PROVIDED BY BETH SHALOM

Jackie Perlman, a multi-year
vendor

Joe Marks and Rob Gutman play music for
Chanu-Con! guests.

Howard Fridson and Yevgeniya
Gazman

Matthew Ball plays music
for Chanu-Con! guests.

Juliana Schewe-Jackson from Nature’s Playhouse leads children’s yoga.

Chanu-Con 2023 vendors at Beth Shalom