- February 19, 2025
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Lakewood Ranch's Cassidy David paints the face of Sarasota's 7-year-old Emily Gordon.
Photo by Ian SwabyLakewood Ranch's 2-year-old Audrey Cino plays a large Connect 4-style game.
Photo by Ian SwabyLakewood Ranch 2-year-old Aiton Weiman makes the rounds on The Green.
Photo by Ian SwabySarasota's 4-year-old Brody Gates and 7-year-old Dylan Gates immersed themselves in the Hanukkah celebrations.
Photo by Ian SwabyLakewood Ranch's Libby Lurie, of Temple Emanu-El, greets Sarasota's Justin Bloom and 2-year-old Miles Bloom.
Photo by Ian SwabyLakewood Ranch 6-year-old Colton Zukas and 8-year-old Matthew Dobson try to be the first to catch a beanbag flying their way.
Photo by Ian SwabyNorth Port 3-year-old Allaini Parmenter strolls through the event with her grandmother, Palm Aire's Charlotte Emerson.
Photo by Ian SwabyPalmetto's Tim Johnston, 8-year-old Gabe Johnston, 9-year-old Tyler Johnston, and Lynne Johnston visit the Aviella Creations booth by Kristine Vila of Wimauma.
Photo by Ian SwabyJulie Fanning and Jaime Baum of Benderson Development's marketing staff, and Temple Emanu-El staff Rabbi Elaine Rose Glickman and Rachel Benderson, helped create the event.
Photo by Ian SwabyLakewood Ranch's Andrew Bunin and 5-year-old Jacob Bunin visit a table staffed by Sarasota's Geoff Ingalls. Jacob tried to win a gemstone by spinning the dreidel.
Photo by Ian SwabyRachel Benderson, Rabbi Elaine Glickman, and Rabbi Brenner Glickman represented Temple Emanu-El at the event.
Photo by Ian SwabyLakewood Ranch's Elana Schwartz and 7-year-old Levi Schwartz prepare for a game of Jenga on The Green.
Photo by Ian SwabyEast County's Jim Germer and Sarasota's Ellyn Ingalls, both Temple Emanu-El volunteers, help Lakewood Ranch's 5-year-old Jacob Schwartz create a Hanukkah greeting card for residents of Aviva Senior Living in Sarasota.
Photo by Ian SwabyKim Fishman and Pina Schott of Jersey Girl Bagels, as well as Fishman's 14-year-old son Jake Fishman, offered treats including rugelach and blue-and-white bagels to celebrate Hanukkah.
Photo by Ian SwabyAn menorah made of balloons was one of the event decorations.
Photo by Ian SwabyRabbi Brenner Glickman of Temple Emanu-El in Sarasota was happy to see Hanukkah at the Green have a special place to celebrate on Dec. 17 at University Town Center's Green.
“There’s a lot of Christmas around, and we’re excited to have a Hanukkah event right here in the middle of UTC,” he said. “It’s a big gathering of happy Jews.”
A gathering that he pointed out was open to everyone to learn about the culture or just to have a good time.
“A big part of celebrating Hanukkah is called publicizing the miracle, and includes talking about and sharing the news, and the joy, and the spirit of Hanukkah,” said Rabbi Elaine Glickman, who is Brenner Glickman's wife.
The event, in its second year, was co-sponsored by Benderson Development.
Temple Emanu-El member Rachel Benderson, who helped manage the event, said the event was designed to be inclusive and allow anyone to celebrate, and that she hoped that the turnout would continue to grow each year.
Lakewood Ranch’s Helene Zukas, a substitute teacher at Temple Emanu-El, said the large celebration was a chance to connect with others.
“It's so nice to see the Jewish community coming together to celebrate Hanukkah, and I've enjoyed meeting new people who I would have not had a chance to meet without this event,” she said.
“We enjoy coming to it every year,” said Lakewood Ranch’s Andrew Bunin. “It’s a fun way to bring in the holidays, great for kids, and great for families.”
