#8 Is Chanuka the Jewish Christmas?

The answer will probably not surprise you.

This one is personal. When our children were little; our daughter was in second grade and our son was kindergarten, we switched from being a family who celebrated both to all Jew, all Chanuka. All the time.

The kids took it pretty hard.

My daughter wrote about it. Good essay, I recommend it.

And my son...well, let's just say he worked it out on stage.

Ben Shearn as "Jew, The Obscure"

We are all fine. Maybe a little confused from time to time. Like you aren't!!!

#7 Favorite Chanuka Characters

When you start a holiday with an insurrection, follow it up with a civil war, and fight off invading armies for over a hundred years, it's not easy to come up with lovable, cuddly characters.

At least, that was my experience working on this video.

Andy Kaufman at Latka (not in the video but I highly recommend Jim and Andy) 

#6 Traditional Family Observances

This being Shabbat (or Shabbas), I don't expect many Jews to be watching this. There is pretty basic material that Jews learn in Hebrew School or if you are traditionally observant "school."

As this is episode 6, I am thankful that I am not doing the 12 Days of Christmas or the 29 or 30 days of Ramadan.

Episode 5: Don's Top 8 Chanuka Hits

Here is a link to most of these tunes. There are some really cool songs out there. Regrettably, I couldn't find Sammy Davis Jr. doing any Chanuka tunes. Or any of the Rat Pack.

I also plan to do my blues rendition of "Dreidl."

"I have a little dreidl, it goes everywhere with me/I have a little dreidl, it goes everywhere with me.

But what's the use of my dreidl, if my baby ain't with me."

#4 The Chanukah Food Groups

Today, I explore why Jews eat oily food and dairy during Chanukah. As for the rest of the year, you are on your own.

You might not know the story of Judith of Bethulia. A pious widow who was known for her cooking ...well let's just say she used her blade for more than slicing cheese.

 Caravaggio (and kind of a spolier)

#3 The Miracle of the Oil

For all you sticklers for detail (and I suspect I know who you are) here are a few links that discuss the Miracle of the Oil with intelligence and research.

I like Malka Simkovich's article about the "political" reasons for adding a miracle 600 years after the "fact."

My Jewish Learning has an oddly contemporary feel to it.



Here is my video. It's just odd.

#2 Not for Gentiles Only: The Book of Maccabees

The Book of Maccabees which is the foundation of the Chanukah is not found in the Hebrew Bible. Nor in the Protestant Bible (except as part of the Apocrypha, works of 'dubious' origin.)

It is found in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Bible.

There are several theories as to why this Book is not part of the Jewish Canon. I would tell you myself but I have to go shopping for dinner.

Here is a link that might help you with all of that. Why the Maccabees aren't in the Bible.

And enjoy Episode 2:

1. #Not for Gentiles Only: How to Spell and Pronounce Upcoming Jewish Holiday

It's Holiday time again. And there is the one with Santa and the Wise Men. The mistletoe and holly. There is one with 7 candles placed in a Kinara and reading the 7 Principles. And then there is the Jewish one.

This is the first of 8 posts explaining, deconstructing, and having fun with the holiday which begins on the 25th of Kislev.