by Hanukkah approaches – it’s November, after all. Leaves are changing and the days grow visibly shorter with every passing, dark evening. I’m thinking about latkes, those crispy potato pancakes, and taking out our menorahs. I’m also recalling that time our eldest daughter, barely aged two, scared the living daylights out of me. Don’t set […]
Hanukkah Is Not Jewish Christmas
by Yes, you read that correctly. Contrary to popular belief, Hanukkah is not a Jewish Christmas. In fact, it has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas at all. Yet in a few short weeks, many well-meaning teachers will start teaching about Christmas Around the World and include Hanukkah in the mix. Why? There are many […]
Winter Holidays Bring Light
by In a few weeks, we will once again land on the shortest day of the year. My kids are already wondering why it’s dark all the time. It’s dark in the morning when they get up in for school, and it’s dark in the evening by the time we get dinner on the table. My […]
Hanukkah Books: A Diverse Dozen
by In recent years, publishers have begun to offer more Hanukkah books depicting the diversity of Jewish families. We have a wonderful list of diverse Hanukkah books for you, but first a few facts about the holiday. Hanukkah Facts The dates of Hanukkah change each year on the Western calendar, falling in November or December. […]
Gift Giving on Hanukkah
by Winter is the season of gift-giving, but Hanukkah has its own reasons and history. Read on for some of the background of gift giving on Hanukkah, plus some great gift ideas! Back when the Hanukkah story happened, the Jewish nation was forbidden from studying their holy Torah. This was a rule that cut […]