On Sunday, Dec. 17, at 3 p.m., the sanctuary of Temple Micah will reverberate with the amazing voices of scores of young singers from our area. Temple Micah is proud to be hosting this year's Washington Area Jewish Youth Choir Festival. Temple Micah's Youth Choir has participated in this annual event every year since its inception some 17 years ago, and this year will mark the second time we have hosted the event.

Eight area synagogues will send their youth choirs to join together in a joyous celebration of Hanukkah. Temple Sinai of Washington will sing "Hanerot Halalu" (A Song for Hanukkah), by Baruch Cohen, arranged by Blanche Chass. Temple Emanuel of Kensington will present "Lots of Latkes" by Alan Leider. Beth El Hebrew Congregation of Alexandria will awe us with the fabulous "Latke/Hamentash Debate" by Rabbi Joe Black. Washington Hebrew Congregation's Youth Choir will perform Debbie Friedman's "Not By Might/Not By Power," originally composed as the title song in her Hanukkah Cantata. Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation will be sending two Youth Choirs. Their younger group will sing "One Little, Two Little" by Robbi Sherwin & Katy Jordan, and their older group will present "It's Hanukkah Time" by Julie Silver. Temple Solel of Bowie, Md., will perform a medley of Friedman's "Dreidel Song," cleverly interspersed with the traditional "I Have a Little Dreidel." And Temple Micah's fabulous Youth Choir will sing "The First Candle We Light on Hanukkah," by Larry S. Kaplan.

For the grand finale, all young singers will join together to perform the infectious "Hanukkah Catch," a round in three parts by Stephen Richards. We will then light the menorah (three candles for the third night of Hanukkah), and all the assembled masses (singers, choir directors, parents and other audience members) will sing a number of traditional Hanukkah songs, while raising the roof of our beautiful sanctuary. Don't miss this unique chance to hear the thrilling sound of youthful voices from all across the Washington area.