BRIEFLY IN RELIGION

Big fat Greek Hanukkah planned

Chabad Jewish Center of Laguna Beach is sponsoring a Greek-style Hanukkah celebration, beginning at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 19.

The event includes a buffet featuring skewered souv”latkie” meat, salads and pasta, stuffed grape leaves, tabuli, and bak”latka” for dessert, in addition to traditional potato latkes and Hanukkah doughnuts.

The event, to be held at the center, will star musician Shlomo Rabinowitz, who will provide live Greek and Israeli music, to get participants dancing.

For children, there will be workshops, including ceramic tile menorah-making and dreidel sand art. Kids can get their faces painted and enjoy animal balloons while spinning dreidels and treating themselves to chocolate gelt.

A grand menorah lighting finale will feature the voices of Chabad preschool and Hebrew school students.

The cost is $10 per person. RSVP to Chabad at (949) 499-0770. Chabad Jewish Center is located at 30804 S. Coast Hwy. across from the Montage Resort.

Sanctuary open for meditation

Laguna Presbyterian Church invites community members to come and be still in the sanctuary from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays, Dec. 7, 14 and 21.

All who wish to step aside from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season for a time of quiet and prayer are welcome.

A sheet with a Christmas scripture and suggestion for a way to meditate on it will be available, but the time will be unstructured and open. You may join in for all or a part of the hour. Listeners will be available for anyone wanting to discuss their prayer experience afterward.

Laguna Presbyterian Church is located at the corner of Forest and Second avenues.

For more information, contact [email protected], (949) 494-7657.