The Coolest Chanukah Celebration on the Main Line

Beth Segal, Bensalem
Executive Director, Kaiserman JCC, Wynnewood​

It’ll be a dreidel-spinning, latke-eating, menorah-lighting party for the entire Jewish community when Kaiserman JCC hosts its annual Chanukah Extravaganza on Dec. 21. Coordinating the celebratory hoopla is Beth Segal, who has, for the past decade, been executive director of the only Jewish community center in the Main Line area. She presides over Kaiserman’s educational offerings, fitness facilities, summer camps, special events and lush Wynnewood campus. 

More on Kaiserman’s Chanukah celebration: The party will include dreidel games, music, candle lighting, arts and crafts for the kids, and a variety of food from Nana’s Kitchen, the café inside Kaiserman. We also do a latke tasting, with latkes from all different area restaurants and vendors. 

Other great Chanukah celebrations on the Main Line: Nothing is as great as our extravaganza, but Suburban Square partners with the JCC to hold a candle lighting, which is a really beautiful and fun event. 

How Kaiserman celebrates being Jewish at Christmas: On Christmas day, the JCC holds an all-day family event, with movies, a kindergym for children, and a multitude of other activities. There’s something to do for every family. 

Beth Segal, Bensalem

Left to right: Chanukah Extravanganza, Nana’s Cafe, SangKee Asian Bistro

Best special event in the Main Line area: A Taste of Lower Merion, held at Lower Merion High School. All the restaurants in the area bring different kinds of food, and there is live music. 

Favorite lunch spot on the Main Line: SangKee Asian Bistro in Wynnewood. Their lunch menu has great options, and I love that you can mix up the choices every time. 

Best place for date night: Tango in Bryn Mawr. 

Favorite place to shop for adults and kids: Suburban Square. 

Best-kept secret on the Main Line: The new outdoor swim club at Kaiserman. Last summer was the first where we offered a swim club membership to the beautiful main pool, with its smaller kiddie pool, lounge chairs and swings. We had Nana’s Café set up outside with an outdoor bistro. There are also three ga-ga courts for the kids. For those who don’t know, ga-ga is an Israeli game that’s played like dodgeball, but below the waist.

Worst traffic spot in the area: City Avenue in the late afternoon.