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  1. 2009 Major League Dreidel Tournament

  2. Jewltide 7

  3. The Schlep Sisters (Minnie Tonka and Darlinda Just Darlinda)

Hanukkah parties

You don't have to be Chosen, single or God-fearing to celebrate eight nights of candle-burning at these Hanukkah blowouts. (But say a prayer, and you may take home a nice Jewish guy or gal.)

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RECOMMENDED: Guide to Hanukkah in NYC

Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad


(Bleecker Street Theater, 45 Bleecker St at Mulberry St; 212-260-8250, 45bleecker.com. Tue--Sat 8pm; Fri, Sat 10:30pm; $25, enter code “timeout” for half-price tickets online. Through Jan 2.)
The festival of lights: The seventh edition of this bash includes a Hasidic strip act, tap dancing dreidels, go-go dancers outfitted in Passover napkins and comedians from Comedy Central, HBO and late-night TV, including Jamie Lee. Following the show, dance to DJ Eion’s Yiddish hip-hop mash-ups and sip on Shmaltz Brewing Company’s Jewbilation Bar Mitzvah beers (there’s also a free tasting before the party).
The scene: “Women like us because the show has strong feminist undertones, and gay guys like us because we’re campy and kitschy,”says ringleader Susannah “The Goddess” Perlman. “The straight guys dig us because it’s dirty and hot.”
The hookup potential: “The show lends itself to hooking up,” says Perlman. “We’ve traveled around the country, and we’ve had our fair share of going home with the audience. We put the whore in hora.”

Menorah Horah


(Southpaw, 125 Fifth Ave between Sterling and St. Johns Pls, Park Slope, Brooklyn; 718-230-0236, spsounds.com; Sat 12 at 8pm, $12--$16)
The festival of lights: The Schlep Sisters (Minnie Tonka and Darlinda Just Darlinda) return for their third annual burlesque variety show, professing their love for the eight days of Hanukkah in pasties. This year, they’ve teamed up with Sapphire Jones, Sauci Calla Horra and TONY’s own Noah Tarnow for interactive trivia. “We’re going to tell the Hanukkah story through a striptease featuring Jewish warriors,” laughs Tonka. “We’re pumped!” Afterward, klezmer-punk band Golem will rock Southpaw, and your requisite holiday inebriation won’t be a problem (PBR tall boys go for $3).
The scene: Menorah Horah attracts everyone from hipsters to oldsters. All the show’s performers are Jewish, but Tonka notes that you needn’t be a part of the tribe to enjoy the festivities.
The hookup potential: “It’s Saturday night with Jews taking their clothes off onstage,” says Tonka. “What better icebreaker do you need?”

2009 Major League Dreidel Tournament


(Knitting Factory Brooklyn, 361 Metropolitan Ave at Havemeyer St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 347-529-6696, majorleaguedreidel.com; Sat 12 at 9pm, $10--$15)
The festival of lights: One hundred and twenty-four Jews and non-Jews from around the world (someone is even coming in from Hawaii) will gather in Brooklyn to compete in the third annual competitive dreidel-spinning competition, organized by the MLD “Knishioner” and Spinagogue creator Eric Pavony.Watch competitors vie for the title of the country’s greatest dreidel spinner (registration is now closed) and invest in your own Spinagogue (a dreidel board game, $40) or a pint of He’Brewbeer ale ($4). Heavy-metal outfit Gods of Fire will also perform its new album, Hanukkah Gone Metal, in its entirety, as well as the band’s own version of “Hava Nagila,” during which the MLD champion will be raised above the crowd.
The scene: The tournament is part costume party, so spinners will be representing their dreidel handles, including Oscar de la Menorah (outfitted in a boxing belt, robe and gloves), Spincent Van Gogh (you’ll know him by the painter’s palette and brush), Spindiana Jones (watch out for the whip) and Spincredible Hulk (he’ll turn green if you make him angry).
The hookup potential: “Lots of girls come to watch the guys spin, and it’s no secret that the best spinners leave with the prettiest girls,” says Pavony.“Last year, one girl would feed this guy who she’d just met chocolate coins after he spun well.” What a mensch.

Heebonsim


(Fontana’s, 105 Eldridge St between Grand and Broome Sts; 212-334-6740, heebmagazine.com; Dec 24 8pm--3am, $15--$25)
The festival of lights: Jewish culture magazine Heeb’s fourth annual blowout will include performances by post-punkers the Shondes, Chevonne, Ohio Party and DJ Cowboy Mark. Pretend you’re on spring break during the strip-dreidel contest, moderated by local swingers community the Kinky Jews. And don’t be shocked by surprise guests like last year’s blind moyl and gagged Santa. Yes, you can sit on his lap. (Feel free to slip him a silver Star of David.)
The scene: A mass of 21- to 35-year-old Jews (20 percent of the crowd are Gentiles!) searching for an alt-holiday.
The hookup potential: “I know so many people who have met their significant other at this event,” says Yasha Wallin, Heeb’s editorial director. “Our music editor met his wife!” If you do meet someone who strikes your fancy, get some alone time in the photo booth, where you can try on various biblical costumes.

Matzo Ball


(Capitale, 130 Bowery St between Broome and Grand Sts; 212-334-5500, matzoball.org; Dec 24 at 7pm, $25)
The festival of lights: Andy Rudnick started the Matzo Ball more than 20 years ago; it’s now thrown annually in 11 cities. The NYC event, sponsored by JDate.com, attracts more than 2,000 Jews, and Rudrick is happily married with three kids to a woman he met at a ball in 1997. The formula is simple: one gorgeous ballroom, a DJ, free appetizers and a cash bar. According to Rudrick, the fete has yielded more than 1,000 marriages.
The scene: Yuppies looking for serious relationships. “The party can get a bit crazy,” says Rudnick. “We don’t frown upon scandalous activities.”
The hookup potential: Brooke Uris, 27, has attended the ball for the past three years. “Most people I know have had success, whether they met someone to get a drink with or found the one.”

Jewltide 7


(Southpaw, 125 Fifth Ave between Sterling and St. Johns Pls, Park Slope, Brooklyn; 718-230-0236, spsounds.com; Dec 24 at 9pm, $10--$15)
The festival of lights: Jewcy.com and JDub Records’ funk-music-themed night features Mr. Jonathan Toubin deejaying 60’s soul, garage R&B and funk at 9pm.
The scene: Expect a room full of audiophiles. “We have a good community of smart people who like to party,” says Emily Goldsher, JDub’s communications director. “It’s a bunch of NJBs—nice Jewish boys—from Brooklyn who have really cool record collections.”
The hookup potential: It’s up to you this time. “We’re not interested in putting together a meat market or a bunch of drunk, creepy investment bankers,” says Goldsher. “But if you want to meet a nice Jewish boy, he might be there.”

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