The upcoming weeks are full of Chanukah celebrations, both in Buxmont and around Greater Philadelphia — be sure to save the date!

Check out these local events happening throughout Buxmont:

Shabbat Services
Saturday, Feb. 22 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Congregations of Shaare Shamayim

Congregations of Shaare Shamayim is holding shabbat services starting at 9 a.m. for traditional services and 9:30 a.m. for our egalitarian services. A lovely kiddush follows services. For more information, call 215.677.1600. 

“Yellow Piano" Event for the Hostages
Sunday, Feb. 23 | 2 - 3:30 p.m.
Kaiserman JCC, Wynnewood

Alon Ohel, a gifted pianist, was abducted by Hamas from the Nova music festival on Oct 7. His whereabouts are currently unknown. Alon’s family installed a yellow piano in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square with a sign “You Are Not Alone.” Since then, yellow pianos have been installed in cities around the world, encouraging people to play in support of all the hostages. The Kaiserman JCC is bringing the Yellow Piano to Philadelphia. Join for a musical event to raise awareness of Alon’s story and the stories of all those who remain in captivity in Gaza. Several musicians will perform and we will hear a moving message from Alon’s mother, Idit. Through music, let’s send Alon and the other hostages love, strength, and the reassuring message that they are not alone. To register, click here. 

KUGEL: Episodes 1 + 2 - Sneak Preview
Tuesday, Feb. 25 | 2 - 8:30 p.m.
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History

Years before Akiva Shtisel and Libi (Hadas Naron, FILL THE VOID) crossed paths, KUGEL takes us to Antwerp, Belgium, where Nuchem (Sasson Gabay, THE BAND'S VISIT), a charming yet rule-bending jewelry dealer, juggles ambition, love and family drama. As his marriage crumbles, his daughter, Libi, dreams of becoming a writer — until a chance encounter on an Antwerp tram changes everything. Told with the humor and heart that made SHTISEL a global sensation, KUGEL explores love, ambition, and the delicate balance between tradition and individuality. From the creators of SHTISEL, this is a deliciously complex story you won’t want to miss! To register, click here. 

Confronting Hate & Standing Strong Together
Wednesday, Feb. 26 | 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History

Join for an essential conversation on rising antisemitism in the  community. The Greater Philadelphia Antisemitism Town Hall brings together top local leaders and experts at the forefront of countering antisemitism to share their latest initiatives, programs, and strategies. Engage in a structured Q&A session, where you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and learn how to combat this pressing issue alongside those on the front lines. To register, click here. 

Shabbat Services
Saturday, March 1 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Congregations of Shaare Shamayim

Congregations of Shaare Shamayim is holding shabbat services starting at 9 a.m. for traditional services and 9:30 a.m. for our egalitarian services. A lovely kiddush follows services. For more information, call 215.677.1600. 

Commonwealth Youth Choir Concert Honoring HAMEC Survivors
Wednesday, March 5 | 7 - 8:24 p.m.
Keneseth Israel Synagogue

Commonwealth Youth Choir will sing to local Holocaust survivors. Audience members will also have a meet and greet with survivors after the concert. This is a very special opportunity to come and honor our local Holocaust survivors. Families are encouraged to attend! To register, click here. 

Shabbat Across America
Friday, March 7 | 5:30 - 9 p.m.
Congregations of Shaare Shamayim

Celebrate the annual Shabbat Across America at Congregations of Shaare Shamayim. Thousands of Jews across America will observe Shabbat at their synagogues starting with a lovely dinner, followed by services at 7 p.m. and then concluding with a beautiful Oneg Shabbat.  Come enjoy the Shabbat experience with family and friends. The cost for the dinner is $22 per person. For more information or to make a reservation, contact the synagogue office at 215.677.1600.

Preschool and Tot Sunday
Sunday, March 9 | 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Congregation Beth El of Bucks County

Join for fun age appropriate themed activities for children birth to six and their caregivers. The theme for March is Purim. To learn more and register, click here. 

Purim: Under the Big Top at Beth El
Thursday, March 13 | 6 - 9 p.m.
Congregation Beth El of Bucks County

Celebrate Purim with a pizza dinner, a juggling show, a service and a Megillah reading! There will also be face painting, games and more. To register, click here. 

Purim Get Together
Thursday, March 13 | 6 - 9:30 p.m.
Congregations of Shaare Shamayim

Congregations of Shaare Shamayim will be holding Purim Services and reading of the Megillah. The evening starts at 6 p.m. with a lite dinner, followed by a 7 p.m. Ma’ariv service and Megillah reading. The cost for the lite dinner is $10 per person. Cantor Buzzy Walters will play the piano and lead in song. He will be joined by Yechiel Schur who will lead a most expressive and memorable megillah reading. Please call the synagogue office at 215.677.1600 to register. 

JRA Food Distribution
Sunday, March 23, April 27, May 18, June 22, July 20, Aug. 10, Sept. 14, Oct.26, Nov. 16 and Dec.14 | 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
JRA Warehouse

Join this month's distribution and help pack and deliver food for low-income individuals across the Greater Philadelphia area. From 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., join JRA Juniors for ages ten and under to pack boxes and enjoy stories and crafts. Starting at 10:00 a.m., packing for ages ten and older will begin. To register, click here.

Ramah Day at JRA
Sunday, March 23 | 9:00 - 11:15 a.m.
JRA Warehouse

Join Ramah Day Camp and Camp Ramah in the Poconos for a morning of volunteering. Help pack and deliver food for low-income individuals across the Greater Philadelphia area. To register, email leannek@ramahpoconos.org.

AARP Two Day Driver Course
Monday, March 24 - Tuesday, March 25 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Congregations of Shaare Shamayim

Congregations of Shaare Shamayim is pleased to be hosting an AARP drivers 2 day refresher course. There are no tests to pass and most insurance companies provide a discount for completing the course. $20 for AARP members; $25 for non-AARP members. Payment to AARP is needed to hold your spot. For more details, please call the synagogue office at 215.677.1600.

Annual Brunch
Sunday, March 26 | 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Congregations of Shaare Shamayim

Congregations of Shaare Shamayim will be holding its annual congregation brunch. The cost is $42 per person which includes a delicious brunch and a musical presentation by Bob Butryn, Michael Gart and our own cantor, Buzzy Walters. For more information or to make a reservation, contact the synagogue office at 215.677.1600.

Bingo
Wednesday, March 26 | 1 - 3:30 p.m.
Congregations of Shaare Shamayim

The Congregations of Shaare Shamayim Sisterhood is proud to announce the return of in person Bingo. Please join for a wonderful afternoon of fun. The cost is $42 per person and includes one bingo card and a delicious home cooked luncheon. Of course, additional bingo cards and bingo specials will be available for purchase. To register, call 215.677.1600. 

Cultural Trip
Thursday, March 27 | 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Congregations of Shaare Shamayim

The Congregations of Shaare Shamayim sisterhood is planning a cultural trip. Meet at Beth Sholom Synagogue for a 90-minute docent led tour. Beth Sholom is a National Historic Landmark and the only synagogue designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The cost is $15. For more details, please call the synagogue office at 215.677.1600.

FamilyMatters Bingo Bash with Miss Shuggenah
Thursday, March 27 | 6 - 10 p.m.
FamilyMatters

You’re invited to FamilyMatters’ first ever Drag Bingo -- a night of glam, games, and fabulous fun. Emcee Miss Shuggenah will be serving lewks and laughs all night long, so grab your friends and your tickets before we sell out! To register, click here. 

Poker Tournament
Sunday, March 30 | 12 - 5 p.m.
Congregation Beth El of Bucks County

Lay your cards on the table at the Men's Club Poker tournament! Advanced registration is required. Admission includes lunch and beverages. To register, click here. 

TikTok Tova: Voice of Survival – Combating Antisemitism and Advancing Holocaust Education
Sunday, March 30 | 2 - 3 p.m.
Holocaust Awareness Museum

This event offers a rare and powerful opportunity to hear from Tova Friedman, a Holocaust survivor who was a child in Auschwitz. Friedman will share her deeply personal story, providing a unique perspective on the Holocaust that will leave a lasting impact. In addition to sharing her testimony, Friedman has embraced the digital age, connecting with a new generation through her TikTok account, TovaTok (@TovaFriedman). With over 500,000 followers and 10 million likes, she engages Gen Z innovatively and meaningfully. To learn more and register, click here. 

AARP Driver Course
Monday, March 31 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Congregations of Shaare Shamayim

Congregations of Shaare Shamayim is pleased to be hosting an AARP drivers 1 day refresher course. Sign up for this refresher course if you have taken the two-day driver safety course in the last three years. There are no tests to pass and most insurance companies provide a discount for completing the course. $20 for AARP members; $25 for non-AARP members.  Payment to AARP is needed to hold your spot. For more details, please call the synagogue office at 215.677.1600.

Bingo at Beth El
Sunday, April 27 | 12 - 2 p.m.
Congregation Beth El of Bucks County

Bring your family and friends for bingo and pizza! To register, click here. 

Spring Into Summer
Wednesday, April 30 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Union League Liberty Hill

This special event will feature a shopping boutique, incredible raffle and silent auction prizes, a heartwarming FamilyMatters presentation, and a special performance of Brilliant The Musical. To register, click here. 

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The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia's Kehillah initiative works to foster vibrant Jewish communities. You can learn more about the Buxmont Kehillah by visiting jewishphilly.org/buxmont or by contacting Community Engagement Specialist Nomi Shapiro at buxomont@jewishphilly.org.