From Wikipedia-
Chanukah is an eight-day Jewish holiday celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the forces of Antiochus IV and commemorates the "miracle of the container of oil".  According to the Talmud, ... there was only enough consecrated olive oil to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day.  Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, which was the length of time it took to press, prepare and consecrate fresh olive oil.

In North America especially, Chanukah gained increased importance with many Jewish families in the latter half of the twentieth century, ..., who wanted a Jewish alternative to the Christmas celebrations that often overlap with Chanukah.  Though it was traditional to give "gelt" or money coins to children during Chanukah, in many families this has changed into gifts in order to prevent Jewish children from feeling left out of the Christmas gift giving.


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Christmas, Christmas, Christmas - it's all about Christmas.  My holiday is Chanukah.  The un-Christmas. The quiet holiday. The no tree, no glitter, no colored lights holiday. 

Chanukah is the rite that every Jewish kid has to get through.  It is the time of separation. No, we don't hang wreaths, decorate the house, buy cute ornaments.  We quietly light candles, say a prayer and  hand out presents.  We do this for eight days in a row.  That's it.  In my childhood home there was never even a discussion about Chanukah bushes, nor decorations.  My son and I never had that discussion either.  We light candles, say a prayer and hand out gifts. That's it. Get over it.  That's what we do.  A kid never feels as Jewish as they do during December.

The Jews I know are happy to partake in Christmas cheer. We go to Christmas parties, sing Christmas carols, enjoy receiving cards, eat cookies and candy canes. But, we know that we are venturing into someone else's territory.  We acknowledge the beauty of the decorations, the delicious recipes, the gorgeous music, the cuteness of reindeers and elves.  But, it is not ours; it is their holiday.

When I was a child we spent Christmas vacations in New York City at my grandparents.  On Christmas day we did what thousands of other Jewish people do - we ate out at a deli and went to the movies.  As an adult I have a standing invitation to my best friends' house for Christmas dinner.  I am happy my son and I have somewhere to go.  Even a Jew doesn't like to sit home with nothing to do on Christmas day.

Chanukah starts this year at sunset on December 23rd.  My menorah and candles are sitting on the sideboard ready for action.  One of the eight nights I will cook latkes and brisket for my son and our friends.  The other nights will be a quiet celebration of life and tradition.



Real Estate Tip #24 - If a buyer calls to see a house in December, Realtors jump to it.  December buyers are serious buyers.  Nobody comes out over the holiday season to look at houses unless they are serious about buying a house.