The "Americanization" of Hanuka

Yesterday, we talked about how Jews living around the world in different edot (Jewish Diaspora communities) frequently borrow aspects of the majority culture around them then give them a "Jewish twist," in order to create new customs for celebrating Jewish holidays. This is certainly true for the American Jewish community. In order to bring home the message to the students, I shared 8 short YouTube videos relating to the Hanuka story and our celebration traditions for the holiday. As we watched each video, I asked the students to look for any aspects of our American culture which we have borrowed in order to celebrate this Jewish holiday. As it turns out, we have borrowed much from the American culture around us!

Below are the links to the videos, witnesses to the "Americanization" of what was once a minor holiday on the Jewish calendar - Hanuka.  As you watch them, keep in mind that the one Jewish law relating to Hanuka that all Jews living around the world must observe is to light the candles and oil and to "make famous the miracle." According to this Rabbinic law (halacha, in Hebrew), this should be achieved by setting the Hanuka menorah (hanukiya) where people passing by can easily see it. How far we've come in the U.S. from that simple rule!

Maccabeat's "Candlelight"  

Hanuka with Veronica Monika     

Adam Sandler's Hanuka Song     

Adam Sandler's 4th Hanuka Song   

Maccabeat's "A Hamilton Hanuka"   

"Twas the Night Before Hanuka"     

"Elf Yourself"    

And finally, since we were about to go up to the Sanctuary to practice the dance steps for the Hanuka FlashMob dance that many of our JQuest families will be participating in next Sunday afternoon at the Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek, I thought it would be interesting to share a flashmob Hanuka dance performed in 2009 on Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem by new American immigrants to Israel.

Hanuka Flashmob in Jerusalem     

REMEMBER THAT THIS TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY ARE "BRING-A-FRIEND" TO JQUEST DAYS!