FYI

Chabad Outreach  celebrates 17th menorah lighting

The Chabad Outreach Center and Synagogue of Houston will hold its 17th annual public menorah lighting at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at Houston’s City Hall.

The event will commemorate the lighting of the eighth Hanukkah candle and honor the memories of soldiers who gave their lives for America, according to a press release.

After the presentation, synagogue members will serve Hanukkah treats, gelt and dreidels to all participants. The event will also feature a video and Hanukkah gifts for children who attend.

“The holiday of Hanukkah contains a universal message for people of all faiths; namely that good will ultimately triumphs over evil, freedom over oppression, and light over darkness,” said Rabbi Moishe Traxler, director of Chabad Outreach of Houston, in the press release.

Houston City Hall is at 900 Bagby St., Houston.

The Chabad Outreach Center and Synagogue is at 11000 Fondren Road, Suite B104, Houston.

For more information, call 713-774-0300 or visit www.chabadoutreach.org.

Children’s Film Festival features world favorites

A Children’s Film Festival will be held at the Houston Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 15.

The event features a colorful collection of short films from around the world, hand-picked as audience favorites from the 2012 New York International Children’s Film Festival. The festival is brought to the library by the Aurora Picture Show.

The all-ages event will start at 3 p.m. in the Julia Ideson Building, 550 Mc-Kinney Street, Houston.

The event is free. Registration is not required.

For more information, call 832-393-1662 or visit www.houstonlibrary.org.

Coalition for the Homeless shares hygiene kits

Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County distributed hygiene kits to more than 200 people at Star of Hope Women and Family Emergency Shelter in Houston recently.

According to a press release issued by the coalition, the kits included a comb, hand wipes, mouthwash, toothbrush and toothpaste.

Starbucks provided the funds to buy the items for the hygiene kits and also helped assemble the kits. Funds supplied by the company could fund 10,000 kits.

The distribution at the shelter was held in conjunction with National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week.

 

Interfaith invites community to its open house

An open house will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, at Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston.

According to a press release from Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, “The event, a collaboration with Houston Greeters, includes foods, music, drinks and fellowship. It is also about learning how to become a volunteer to help refugees who are resettling in the Houston area.”

Tickets are not required, but a donation is suggested.

Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston is at 3217 Montrose Blvd.

For more information, call 713-533-4900 or visit www.imgh.org.

Tickets available for ‘Man of La Mancha’ 

The Theatre Under The Stars in Houston will have “Man of La Mancha” on stage from Tuesday, Feb. 26 through Sunday, March 10.

The five-time Tony Award winner is the story of Don Quixote, his servant Sancho and the woman of his dreams, Dulcinea.

Tickets, which start at $24, are available online at www.TUTS.com or by calling 713-558-8887 or 888-558-3882. Tickets can also be purchased at the box office at 800 Bagby from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday.