Light up Hanukkah with wintry pride, a record-breaking LEGO menorah and more

Hanukkah, the festival of lights — along with latkes, jelly doughnuts and gifts (for some) — is fast approaching, the first since pandemic restrictions ended. Israel is celebrating with festive candle-lighting ceremonies, performances and some parties, too, to get you moving and burn off those fried-food calories.

Baby, it’s queer outside

Kick off the holiday season with the LGBTQ Center of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, which is putting on EclectiQueer, a week of art and culture beginning Friday, December 16, with events held throughout Hanukkah.

They’re also calling this Winter Pride, the sister of the annual Gay Pride events that take place each June in Tel Aviv.

“We’re doing a queer take on what everyone knows and inviting everyone to see who we are,” said Adam Amit Cohen-Avni, who directs cultural activities at the LGBTQ Center. “I think most Israelis don’t know about any of this, they only know what they see on Netflix. They’re not interested in knowing the queer story because it doesn’t affect them.” READ MORE