Chanukah is On its Way: How will you Celebrate?

Chanukah is On its Way: How will you Celebrate?

Rabbi Rhoda J Harrison, PhD/LSW, Temple Beth Hillel-Beth Abraham

As our days get seemingly shorter with sundown arriving earlier and earlier by the day, I imagine I am not alone in looking forward to the lights of Chanukah. Chanukah, our Festival of Lights, brings a needed sense of warmth into our homes during these darker days with the lighting of our chanukiyot, the sharing of latkes and sufganiyot, and celebrating with family and friends.

Chanukah, celebrated from the 25^th of  Kislev through the 2^nd of Tevet,  comes after a long break in holidays. Cheshvan, the month just prior to Kislev and following the string of fall holidays is the only month in the Jewish calendar that does not have a holiday to mark or celebrate within it. This lack of holidays was thought to be so significant our Rabbinic sages labeled the month MarCheshvan, the bitter Cheshvan (mar being drawn from the same linguistic root as Passover’s maror). The break, though, is needed. After the busy, both physically and spiritually, month of Tishri, the quiet of Cheshvan offers a welcome balance.

But now, it’s time to ready ourselves to celebrate our Festival of Chanukah and challenge ourselves to do so with intention. Chanukah invites us to consider our Jewish identity and what it means to be a minority living within a majority culture. It’s so easy to allow Chanukah to get swept up in the American winter holiday season. Most every public Christmas display will include some nod to Chanukah, even well after the festival is over. The intent of this inclusion is lovely. At its best, it is meant to be welcoming. But, as we consider our celebration plans, let us not forget the essence and history of Chanukah. The Maccabees fought against assimilating to the point of disappearing. The history of how Chanukah came to be is fundamentally about retaining and remaining committed to the unique aspects of our beloved and sacred traditions even amongst pressure to assimilate, even as we may choose to acculturate into a broader society.

As a modern, Progressive American Jew, I value being able to be included in this country’s culture, and my American identity is as important as my Jewish identity. At the same time, the irony of folding Chanukah into America’s Christmas- laden Winter Holiday season should give us pause. Yes, we want to feel included, but at what cost?

As we enter this winter’s American holiday season, I challenge us to honor Chanukah by giving it space to stand on its own. Let us all be particularly mindful of how we choose to celebrate and honor our beloved Jewish customs and traditions.

Chag Chanukah same’ach!