On Sunday, Dec 6, Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation-Emek Shalom handed out to members who drove through the synagogue parking lot goody bags filled with chocolate gelt, dreidels, blue and white lollypops, 3D Jewish prism glasses, Chanukah candles, stickers and a booklet all about Chanukah. Carloads for members were treated to smiles and cheers by the congregation’s spiritual leader, Rabbi Bekah, and volunteers from the Membership/Outreach, Social Action, Sisterhood and Caring Community Committees who were bundled up to greet them on the sunny cold day. A Chanukah bear was also on hand to entertain the kids and Sunday School families stopped to take photos with their children. Goody bags that were not picked up were hand-delivered to recipients by 14 drivers who fanned out to towns from Hartford to Burlington, Winsted to Bloomfield and throughout the Farmington Valley. 

Besides all the fun, members were encouraged to bring donations of warm winter hats and gloves to be donated to the South Park Inn Shelter in Hartford.  More than 80 hats and 64 pairs of gloves were collected during the two-hour event, as well as cash donations for those in need. 

Main Photo: A blow-up Chanukah menorah was part of the fun for (l to r) Kevin Zall, Rabbi Bekah, Ruth Goldblatt and Marlo Zall(Credit: Joanne Cohen)