![]() ![]() ![]() Of course the vast majority of Americans celebrate Christmas and only a tiny sliver of the population is Jewish. Songs, parties, parades, decorations, gifts - it’s all Christmas. A clear understanding of antisemitism and its tropes is essential to fight it.Īntisemitism also can sometimes look like exclusion or marginalization, and unfortunately the winter holiday season in schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods is often an example of this. It happens on both the political right and left, and it happens within all communities and cultures. Antisemitism can be perpetuated by those who don’t realize the history or coding of the words or ideas they are sharing. The best word to describe most antisemitism is “insidious.” It’s cloaked in words and phrases that are steeped in anti-Jewish sentiment and send clear messages to those who know. Sometimes antisemitism looks like name-calling. In this country, one out of four Jews reported being the subject of antisemitism over the last year alone. This reminder is important now because of a new rise in global antisemitism, the marginalization or oppression of people who are Jewish based on belief in stereotypes or myths about Judaism or Jews. It also is a critical reminder of the many ways that leaders and people of other religions and cultures have dismissed and desecrated Jewish people, holy items, and places for centuries. The legendary miracle of Chanukah is that while the Maccabees could find only a small amount of oil, perhaps one day’s worth, to re-light the Eternal Light in the Temple, that small amount burned consistently for eight days until more could be obtained.Ĭhanukah is a time for light and miracles. When they outlawed observance of Jewish rituals, erected a statue of Zeus in the Temple, and sacrificed pigs (a non-kosher animal) there, a Jewish group called the Maccabees rose up in battle to reclaim and rededicate the Temple to its sacred Jewish uses. The Chanukah story takes place in the holy Jewish Temple in Jerusalem around 165 B.C.E, amid an effort by the Seleucid Empire to impose ancient Greek culture, religion, and language on the territories they ruled. It is a celebration of survival, miracles, and the struggle for holiness. Chanukah’s History – A Great ReminderĬhanukah is part of a very long story of a religious faith that has been oppressed in various ways around the world for thousands of years. ![]() There’s a lot to love about Chanukah! But it’s worth also understanding that it is actually a relatively minor holiday in the scheme of Judaism and that its history and tie-in to current events are complicated. It’s a fun, light-filled, kid-friendly holiday that falls amid a fun, light-filled, kid-friendly holiday season. The candles are put in a special nine-branched candelabra known as a “menorah” (mih-NO-ra) or “chanukiah” (chan-oo-KEE-ya). ![]() As we near the end of Chanukah, I’m honored to share some thoughts about this holiday with all of you in Atlas Book Club.įor eight nights of Chanukah, we light candles, sing blessings and songs, eat potato pancakes called latkes (LAHT-kuhs) or other fried foods like donuts, play with a spinning top called a dreidel (DRAYD-uhl), eat chocolate coins (gelt), and some families give gifts, especially to kids. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |