Chabad of Greater Hartford invites children up to age 13 to write an essay on “What Chanukah Means to Me,” for entry into a Chanukah essay contest. The winner of the contest will receive several prizes, and will read his or her essay at “Fire and Ice,” Chabad’s annual Chanukah celebration to be held in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square on the first night of Chanukah, Sunday, Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. Essays should be a maximum of 300 words and should be submitted to info2chabadhartford.com, with the subject line: “Essay Contest.” The deadline for entries is Nov. 23.

“Fire and Ice” will be held under a heated tent and will feature the lighting of a huge menorah carved on-site out of a solid block of ice.  Other highlights of the evening will include: a live concert by the popular Jewish a cappella group, Six13, the “Great Chanukah Gelt Drop” in which the West Hartford Fire Department sprinkles chocolate coins from the top of an extended fire truck ladder, 3-D dreidel printing. Children will also have the opportunity to melt and mold their very own chocolate coins at the Fire and Ice Chocolate Gelt Factory, receive a Chanukah nails manicure, and have their faces painted with glow in the dark make-up. In addition, there will be free raffles and prizes, arts and crafts projects, and doughnuts for all.

For more information, call (860) 232-1116 or visit chabadhartford.com.