16 | NOVEMBER 14 • 2024 J N F rom its founding to its upcoming ninth annual installment, Chanu-Con! is first and foremost a “Community- Wide Chanukah Festival.” Beth Rodgers, the event founder and leader, goes to all lengths necessary to make sure everyone feels welcome to attend and to participate fully in the shopping, activities and food. “We are very excited to be taking Chanu-Con! into its ninth year,” shared Rodgers. “We are thrilled to be bringing in new sponsors, vendors and activities to go along with many returning people and facets of the event. We can’t wait to welcome everyone on Dec. 8!” One new sponsor and children’s activity facilitator this year will be Row House 13 Mile, owned by Jake Segall and Jamie Parker. “I’ve been going to Beth Shalom since I was a young child and now, along with my significant other and business partner at Row House, I am glad to give back to the community that has supported me so much over the years,” Segall said. “We hope that having a fitness facility involved in Chanu- Con! will inspire people to seek the strength the Maccabees found in those days of miracles.” Returning children’s activity facilitator, Habonim Dror Camp Tavor, doubled down this year and committed to being a new event sponsor in addition to facilitating creating dreamcatchers. Randy Lubratich, community engagement coordinator at Habonim Dror Camp Tavor, said, “We’re so excited to be part of Chanu-Con! at Congregation Beth Shalom and to reconnect with this amazing community. It’s a great chance for everyone to get to know Camp Tavor and for us to get to know them!” She added, “Events like this let us bring some of the fun and creativity we have at camp right to kids and parents. Tavor is all about creating a fun, inclusive and welcoming space for kids from second to 12th grade. We’re passionate about helping campers grow into kind, confident young people who care about the world and their Jewish identity, and events like Chanu-Con! give us the chance to share that mission with even more families. We can’t wait to bring a little bit of Camp Tavor’s spirit to the community and show how much fun and growth our campers experience every summer!” There are also lots of returning activities, vendors and sponsors. Chanu-Con! guests can look forward to great holiday shopping, live music, 50/50 raffle, magic and so much more. Again this year, guests can shop for fine art from the Safrai Art Gallery of Jerusalem. This year, delicious kosher food from Soul Café will be available for purchase. Soul Cafe is part of Friendship Circle of Michigan, which is also participating in Chanu-Con! for the first time this year and will be facilitating a creative activity for all to enjoy. Admission to Chanu-Con! is free. Donations are always welcome. The fun starts Dec. 8 at Congregation Beth Shalom. Ninth Annual Chanu-Con! YEVGENIYA GAZMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER OUR COMMUNITY Details Chanu-Con! takes place Sunday, Dec. 8, from 1-5 p.m. at Congregation Beth Shalom, 14601 Lincoln St., Oak Park. The event is free. Learn more at bit.ly/chanucon2024. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BETH SHALOM Guests can shop for art from the Safrai Art Gallery of Jerusalem. A scene from last year’s Chanu-Con!