Dear Readers,
Remember last year when we ate our latkes with cranberry sauce, as the first night of Chanukah landed on Thanksgiving? This year’s holiday seems ‘more on time,’ starting on the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 16, just as schools are about to close for the winter break. For families, that translates to more celebration time each evening since the kids don’t have to rise and shine early the next morning.
In fact, Chanukah offers an abundance of celebration options. Maybe that’s because the festivities continue to evolve as we seem to ‘bump it up’ each year as if we will heighten the holiday’s status to be closer to that other December holiday…Christmas.
Whatever the reason, we have articles that reflect all the activity surrounding Chanukah, which, by the way, means “dedication” in Hebrew, and refers to the eight-day commemoration of the victory of the Maccabees over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the subsequent liberation and “rededication” of the Temple in Jerusalem.
Along with new ideas for latke parties, we offer an overview of how some around the world observe the holiday, a look at decorating with Chanukah lights, some high-quality chocolate alternatives to traditional Chanukah gelt (yum!), a preview of an exhibit about Chanukah and Christmas music at the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia and an essay about gift-giving, among our other features. Plus, locals share their favorite Chanukah memories.
However you celebrate, the staff of Jewish News wishes you a warm, tasty and Happy Chanukah!
Terri Denison
Editor