Eight CRAZY Nights!

By: Jason

We are up to Chanukah in the cycle of holidays here in Israel. Since we were in Israel for Purim last year, the only holiday we haven't experienced was Rosh Hashana (since we were in the US). Chanukah is a relatively minor holiday in comparison to the others, but nonetheless, like all holidays, there are the veritable traditions that include foods, symbols, songs, and activities.  Chanukah (and its importance) reflects a time of year when the weather changes and the nights begin earlier.  Chanukah not only represents a historical victory over the Greeks, but the candles and lights represent an unending determination and endurance of people and their will to survive and persevere. 

Although in the US, it is somewhat traditional to give gifts (probably an artifact of Christmas-crossover), it doesn't seem to be a tradition here. Instead its about the food and gathering with friends and family.

Our new chanukiah on the 8th night

Top-down view - with our collection of sea glass and shells

All around Israel there were Chanukiah (Chanukah menorahs) at virtually every intersection, in storefronts, at train stations, office buildings, schools, and of course in homes.  The ubiquitous potato latkes that many of us are accustomed to (with applesauce and sour cream, of course!), took a back seat to a fried and oily delicacy called sufganiot in Hebrew (jelly donuts to the rest of us).  Because the tradition is to eat a variety of oily foods (symbolic of the temple oil and its miracle of burning 8 nights), Israelis have embraced the donut as the poster child for Chanukah. You can find them at virtually every street corner, bakery, supermarket, and convenience store.  We tried our fair share (more than I could have imagined!), but the one that sticks out was a massive donut generously covered with confectionery sugar that we found at a bakery in Tel Aviv. 

Bat-sheva's homemade sufganiyot

This holiday also brings together all types of people and is a truly worthy of the phrase, “The Festival of Lights”. For me, the inclusiveness of Chanukah was solidified the other day when I was at work, eating my lunch at my desk and Ehud barged in, “We are lighting the candles and you should join us.”  I leapt up and joined about a dozen others from the department in the prayers and singing of Ma Atzor (Rock of Ages).  It was a really a lot of fun.