
As I've gotten older, the idea of celebrating Hanukkah has changed and evolved for me in my life.
Growing up, I vividly remember our house being filled with Hanukkah decorations and family get-togethers. One of my fondest Hanukkah memories is when my mom came into my elementary school classroom to provide a Hanukkah experience for my classmates and me. She would bring my grandfather's cast-iron frying pan to fry up latkes, Hanukkah cookies (shaped as menorahs, dreidels, and Stars of David) to hand out, tell the story of Hanukkah, and teach my classmates how to play dreidel.
Since then, with each passing year, the importance and meaning of the holiday have shifted for me - from presents and food to more about the lessons we can still learn today about the events leading up to our celebrating this holiday yearly.
Sadly, over the years, the proximity of Hanukkah to Christmas has elevated the status of Hanukkah in the eyes of the secular world, even though it is only considered a minor holiday within Judaism. And yet, some things still hold meaning for us today, even if you cannot find any mention of the holiday in our bible. For starters, it is essential to remember that the word Hanukkah means dedication and the holiday revolves around the dedication of the Maccabees to our Jewish traditions. The holiday serves as a reminder for us to stand tall and be proud of our faith.
In the days leading up to Hanukkah, each year has become the new tradition of several Jewish a cappella groups debuting a new Hanukkah parody song. Each year, groups like the Maccabeats and Six13 have stepped up their game with their creativity. And this year's selections have not disappointed, interweaving imagery of what the last 15 months or so have been like for the Jewish world. Take, for instance, Six13's A Wicked Chanukah opens with the:
This year has changed our history; we'll never be the same
Today it feels like everything we thought we knew has changed
But we still count our blessings remembering we were freed
It's time to shine our light and live our lives proudly.
We know we'll thrive, defining destiny
We won't stand by, defining destiny
And they won't bring us down
And take a look at how The Maccabeats’ Hanukkah-themed Defying Gravity begins:
Some things have changed around us, some things have stayed the same.
Through every change we’ve weathered our spirit always burns the same.
When shadows rise to meet us, our flame will burn through the night.
An ancient spark ignites and fills the void with light.
We’ll rise above, defying gravity.
Through every trial defying gravity.
And they won’t bring us down.
As we gather together with family and friends, and kindle the Hanukkah candles, may the light from ALL of our menorahs dispel the darkness. On behalf of our Jewish Federation's Board of Governors and Staff and me, happy Hanukkah.
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