Library Hosts Hanukkah Celebration

More than sixty children and adults packed into the  to celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah with a story hour sponsored by the Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation.

Guest reader Deborah Coltin, the foundation's executive director, started off by introducing children to her friend "Hanukkah Bear", who came out of his den to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with the children, as they listened to The Chanukkah Guest by Eric Kimmel, the first of three stories Coltin read. 

In between stories, Coltin engaged children and adults with creative movement and Hanukkah songs, encouraging them to be draydels (spinning tops), latkes (potato pancakes) and the special Hanukkah menorah.

The crowd joined in the traditional candle lighting of the menorah after sundown, officially welcoming the first night of Hanukkah, followed by Hanukkah treats provided by the library, including latkes, applesauce, and jelly donut holes. 

The Foundation gave each child the traditional Hanukkah gift of a large wooden draydel and Hanukkah gelt (chocolate coins) and parents received a Hanukkah menorah tin packed with everything they need to celebrate the festival at home for the week.

"The Foundation is grateful to the Lynnfield Public Library for warmly welcoming us to celebrate the Festival of Hanukkah with the Lynnfield community," said Coltin.  "We look forward to celebrating at the library, which has become an annual tradition."