That’s right, I’m talking about Hanukkah and Thanksgiving hasn’t even arrived. Take that, Xmas! Just kidding. But seriously, why do I love Hanukkah? It’s a pretty minor in the spectrum of Jewish holidays. Some say, it’s really just running interference with Xmas. But no, Hanukkah is so much more!
1. I love Hanukkah because every year I get a new, beautiful menorah. This happens to me because I keep breaking one every year and this year, my sister has plans to steal the sole survivor from last year.
2. I love Hanukkah because I got married on Hanukkah and because of that my husband and I didn’t need to fast before the ceremony. Holidays where you don’t have to fast rock!
3. I love Hanukkah because I love defrosting potato latkes. Last year, they were sold out and we had to make do with hashbrowns. Yes, it was really sad.
4. I love Hanukkah because I don’t have to cook a million and one meals. It’s my microwave holiday. See #3. Low-key holidays where you don’t have to make meals for people also rock.
5. I love Hanukkah because it’s ironic. It’s celebrated by plenty of Jews the world over, even the secular ones, despite that it’s a holiday that is about fighting against assimilation.
No, my reasons are not deep but that’s what you get from me in the morning and I didn’t want to steal any juicy reaons from you! Now read over the contest rules carefully and post your FIVE reasons you LOVE Hanukkah!
Memoirs of a Jewminicana 
Well here are my five reasons;1) I love Channuka for the extra candle many Syrian Jews light each night to give thanks for the new home they made in the land of Halab (Aleppo) after fleeing the Gerush Sepharad of 1492.2) I love Channuka for the Sufganiyot.3) I love Channuka because every year I take my son down to a hobby store in suburban Chicago and let him pick out another inexpensive toy train to add to his collection.4) I love Channuka because it affords me the opportunity to share with my students in the supplementary Jewish schools I teach in, the wonderful Gmera in Maseket Shabbat that ponders the question ” Mai Channuka?”5) Finally, I love Channuka because for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere at least the Narot stand as a wonderful testimony of light overcoming the darkness and ultimately Jewish resilience.
LikeLike
My five reasons:1) Latkes w/applesauce…yum!2) It’s low key and low stress. You are in a bubble of serenity and can be there to help your Christian friends to prevent breakdowns.3) Super nice surprise “channukah presents” from those who don’t know that channukah is not the “Jewish Christmas”.4) All of the different menorahs available. There are so many interesting ones out nowadays!5) The Maccabees! Jewish warriors are great (Tony the Tiger voice there).
LikeLike
Hey, everyone, don’t forget to copy and paste your responses into an email and shoot them to me at jewminicana1@gmail.com.
LikeLike
1) I love Chanukah because…It’s a holiday that actually matches the winter here in Alaska. Sukkot in the snow can be less than pleasant, but for Chanukah, the heat from the frying oil is a perfect complement. Chanukah is warmth and comfort food. It helps stave off the cold.2) I love Chanukah because…When the daylight only lasts from 10 AM to 3 PM, it’s a treat to have all those candles lighting up the evening. I love getting people together to have a whole table full of menorahs blazing together.3) I love Chanukah because…There are countless children’s books published about Chanukah. Even in my classroom, we can read 3 or 4 different Chanukah books each day without repeating them. We can’t do this for any of the other holidays.4) I love Chanukah because…There are dozens and dozens of Chanukah-themed toys! It is so easy to transform my classroom (and a family could do the same at home…) into Chanukah world. We can switch almost all of our regular toys for Chanukah versions (Chanukah yo-yos, puzzles, games, stuffed toys, play food, posters, music, etc). Like with the books, I wish we could do this for more of the holidays.5) I love Chanukah because…You can spell it so many different ways! It’s almost symbolic how different people or different communities have their “preferred” spellings. (I don’t love how I was made to change a banner I’d made with a group of kids when I was 16 because the organization I worked for preferred a different spelling…) It’s a good example for teaching people how transliteration of Hebrew works and that there’s room for interpretation.
LikeLike
1. I love Chanukah because my birthday is on Chanukah, the 2 of Teves to be exact.2. I love Chanukah because its the only holiday that doesn’t always fall during my regular semester. Like this year, it falls during break, so I can actually enjoy it without worrying about school.3. I love Chanukah because it is the ultimate story of overcoming darkness. It teaches us that one little candle can fill a whole room and one little action can change the world. Some of the most inspiring maamarim were written about this holiday.4. I love Chanukah because in my little community every year we have a big Chanukah car menorah parade, and public menorah lightings. Its inspiring to go and see the achdus of Jews from all different paths.5. I love Chanukah because I love Chanukah music. When I was a kid my mother would play children’s chanukah music tapes non stop.
LikeLike
1. Because my 2nd son was born on the first night, so it’s easy to remember his birthday.2. Because I don’t have to take off days from work for yom tov.3. Because I love *homemade* latkes — it’s the only time I fry the whole year.4. Because the menorot in the windows in my neighborhood look so pretty.5. Because it makes my kids so happy.
LikeLike
wrpn and tesyaa, i still need your names and addresses in an email with your 5 reasons to jewminicana1@gmail.com. please get them in before anyone else done and you’ll be the last two winners. 🙂
LikeLike
1. I love Chanukah since we make homemade latkes and applesauce every year.2. I love Chanukah because we host a great celebration in our home each year.3. I love Chanukah because on that date one of my sons was born.4. I love Chanukah because it is easy to give cute but unique gifts for the children.5. I love Chanukah because it is so appealing for my children and they love the donuts.
LikeLike
Aliza, thank you!
LikeLike