The year may be winding down, but our calendars are filling up.
With Hanukkah less than a month away (it starts at sundown Dec. 14), local holiday boutiques are a must for unique gifts. And if you aren’t ready to embrace the holiday spirit yet, the Jewish community is also hosting a variety of different events to get us through the end of the year.
From literary-focused gatherings to a fashion show for a cause and a totally kosher food festival, these last few weeks of 2025 are about to be quite busy.
Shop ’til you drop
The Holiday Boutique at Temple Dor Dorim in Weston will feature over 40 local vendors selling unique art and clothes. A raffle will also take place, with the grand prize winner receiving a 2-hour luxury charter yacht. Other raffle prizes include a personalized yoga session, private wine class for 20 people at Total Wine and a teeth whitening treatment from Kotch Dental in Pembroke Pines. The annual event encourages the community to learn more about the temple and support their Early Childhood Center. Food and drinks will also be available.
WHEN: 12:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19
WHERE: Temple Dor Dorim, 2360 Glades Circle, Weston
COST: Free
INFORMATION: dordorim.org
Hear from influential Jewish voices
This year’s Miami Book Fair is featuring a Jewish Life & Culture program, with the popular Street Fair hosting appearances by notable Jews in the literary world. Listen to cartoonist Art Spiegelman during a discussion on “Maus,” his seminal work on the Holocaust; Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, who will present her memoir “Heart of a Stranger”; and novelist Gary Shteyngart, who will participate in a panel discussion.
WHEN: Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 22-23
WHERE: Miami Dade College’s Wolfson Campus, 300 NE Second Ave., Miami
COST: Single-day tickets are $12 for adults, $7 for seniors (over 62) and $5 for guests age 13-18.
INFORMATION: miamibookfair.com
See a show, for a cause
JARC Florida is hosting its eighth annual A Fashion Show With Heart, featuring 17 clients with intellectual or developmental disabilities walking the runway and showing off clothes from Shop Finally and Scales Gear. Before the show, guests can shop at the boutique fair, featuring nine local vendors showcasing jewelry and clothing. Proceeds benefit JARC Florida’s Dr. Allen & Annette Stone Adult Day Training Program, which teaches vocational skills such as cooking, packaging and horticulture to help clients gain employment.
WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 4
WHERE: Boca West Country Club, 20583 Boca West Drive, Boca Raton
COST: $125 (includes lunch and boutique fair)
INFORMATION: jarcfl.org/fashion
Have a literary afternoon
The Levis Jewish Community Center’s Sandler Center is hosting A Literary Afternoon Series, featuring personal appearances with authors through March. This year, check out Allegra Goodman (Dec. 9) and Sara Goodman Confino.
WHEN: Through March 2026
WHERE: Levis JCC Sandler Center, 21050 95th Ave. S., Boca Raton
COST: $25 for individual programs
INFORMATION: levisjcc.org
Enjoy food & wine, the Jewish way
Kosher Food & Wine Miami expects to draw more than 1,000 attendees to the Fontainebleau Miami Beach for local bites and over 400 wines, plus the chance to network with South Florida’s Jewish community. Proceeds will help support WIZO (Women’s International Zionist Organization), which provides funds for educational and social projects for women and children in Israel.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10
WHERE: Fontainebleau Miami Beach, 4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
COST: $200 for general admission; $300 for VIP (early entry)
INFORMATION: kosherfoodandwinemiami.com
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