Saturday, December 4, 2010
Why Hanukkah is not Christmas and how we can recognize that all holidays celebrated at this time of year have their own special traditions.
Christmakwanzaahanukkah. That is the way my own children humorously refer to this time of year, a nod to the blurring of celebration that has occurred amongst the major winter holidays. But the truth is that each of these festivals has its own history and traditions, and as a Jewish American I have watched with a mix of amusement and sadness the gradual loss of distinction of observance amongst these occasions. Hanukkah is not a major holiday on the Jewish calendar; it has "benefited" from its proximity to Christmas, as Jewish parents struggled to help their children feel like their festival was just as special as Christmas (never mind that the deeply holy basis of that holiday is often lost in retail frenzy). As a child I sighed through…
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Wendy Schapiro shares more of her recipes for Hanukkah.
Check out the first half of this meal in part one of our Hanukkah dinner series. Now that you're all set for latkes and chicken, you'll need something to accompany your meal and a fitting way to end it. Carrot gelt Gelt, or money, is a traditional gift on Hanukkah. These carrot rounds resemble both the actual golden coins and the foil-wrapped chocolate treat. 2 lbs. carrots peeled and sliced either by hand, in the food processor or on a mandolin slicer to approximately 1/4 in. thickness–you should have about 6 cups of carrot "coins." 1/3 cup water 1 TBSP olive oil 1/4 tsp ground cumin Salt and pepper to taste 1) Place carrots and water in 10 – 12 in. skillet or saucepan with lid, cover and bring to a boil. 2) Lower temperature to medium-…
Chabad Center at Chestnut Hill kicks off Festival of Light with menorah lighting at Route 9 mall.
Of all the menorahs lit across Brookline last night, among the most festive was the one that burned brightly in the Mall at Chestnut Hill, where the Chabad Center kicked off the Festival of Lights with music, balloons and story telling. Here are a few scenes from the celebration.
42.320109
-71.176129
199 Boylston St, Chestnut Hill, MA
The Mall at Chestnut Hill
/articles/photo-gallery-hanukkahs-first-night-on-chestnut-hill-2
/locations/2601878
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
A local list.
Looking to observe and/or celebrate the Festival of Light? Hanukkah begins tonight at sundown and over the next few days there will be plenty to do right here in Newton. Here is a list of some local events and services: Did we miss something? We'd be happy to add it! E-mail Melanie.Graham@patch.com with your Hanukkah event.
42.300074
-71.177512
Temple Beth Avodah
45 Puddingstone Ln, Newton Center, MA
/articles/hanukkah-events-around-town
764703
/locations/2592818
42.318486
-71.171241
300 Hammond Pond Pkwy, Chestnut Hill, MA
Congregation Mishkan Tefila
/articles/hanukkah-events-around-town
/locations/2592819
42.335987
-71.24198
1860 Washington St, Auburndale, MA
Temple Reyim
/articles/hanukkah-events-around-town
/locations/2592820
42.33802
-71.19715
Congregation Beth El-Atereth Israel
561 Ward St, Newton Center, MA
/articles/hanukkah-events-around-town
764096
/locations/2592821
42.34241
-71.23194
Temple Shalom of Newton
175 Temple St, West Newton, MA
/articles/hanukkah-events-around-town
1509055
/locations/2592822
42.325922
-71.190448
B'nai Or of Boston
210 Herrick Rd, Newton Center, MA
/articles/hanukkah-events-around-town
764060
/locations/2592823
42.325922
-71.190448
Andover Newton Theological School
210 Herrick Rd, Newton, MA
/articles/hanukkah-events-around-town
765875
/locations/2592824
42.347021
-71.226479
Second Church
60 Highland St, Newton, MA
Congregation Dorshei Tzedek
/articles/hanukkah-events-around-town
1776848
/locations/2592825
42.296809
-71.202118
Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center
333 Nahanton St, Newton, MA
/articles/hanukkah-events-around-town
1757285
/locations/2592826
42.338513
-71.188929
Temple Emanuel
385 Ward St, Newton, MA
/articles/hanukkah-events-around-town
764494
/locations/2592827
Stuck on what to cook for the holiday? Wendy is here to help.
The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah begins tonight at sundown, and all around the world Jews will be lighting the menorah (Hanukkah candelabra), saying blessings for the holiday and sharing traditional foods with family and friends. While fried foods are customary, as they recall the oil used to relight the lamp in the temple, in our more health-conscious era we can still honor this tradition with recipes that incorporate canola and olive oils and put a modern twist on old favorites. Wendyfully Easy Potato Latkes Latkes, or potato pancakes, are traditionally served with applesauce. But many folks like them with a dollop of sour cream, particularly when they are savory and made with onions. Be aware that your oil may cool down between batches …
Kristine Munroe
10:49 am on Thursday, December 2, 2010
Great tip! Latkes for dinner tonight! more ›