There probably is no holiday on the Jewish calendar that has been redefined more than Hanukkah. In each age, this holiday has been transformed to suit the issues and concerns of its time.
Originally, Hanukkah was a nationalistic celebration of the Maccabees'
There is a well-known Talmudic debate (Shabbat 21b) between rabbis Shamai and Hillel about the correct way to light the Hanukkah candles.
At URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy, a Reform Jewish summer camp outside Boston, Jewish campers spend their summer exploring robotics, video game design, environmental science, digital media, and other fun activities.
The challenges and contradictions of being a Jew in America are never more obvious than in the month of December. Christmas is unavoidable from before Thanksgiving until well after New Year's.
It's that time of year again: Hanukkah parody video season! We've rounded up some of our favorites, and we want to hear from you: Which Hanukkah song is really spinning your dreidel this year? Have we missed any good ones? Leave us a comment and let us know!
Soon, Jews around the world will gather in our homes and our synagogues, even in public places – to light the hanukkiyah (menorah) and celebrate the festival of Hanukkah.
I love collecting hanukkiyot (menorahs). None is terribly expensive, but each one of the nearly 200 in my collection is unique.
Beyond the rusty orange leaves, the sky hugging the orchard flourished in pastel blue – a hue that surprisingly didn’t define my mood while stretched out upon the grass, head nestled in interlocked palms that sweet October day.
Surprisingly because the Sunday
Welcome to December and the Jewish month of Kislev! Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is just around the corner, and as the days shorten towards the winter equinox later this month, it seems fitting to focus on how we light our houses.
The Roman historian
Together, we will champion the lessons of Passover by bringing greater wholeness, justice, and belonging to our world.
