Hanukkah: Not Christmas for Jews

While the two holidays fall in close proximity to each other and are celebrated in popular culture together, Hanukkah does not hold the religious significance for Jews that Christmas holds for Christians.

Each year, Hanukkah falls in close proximity or during Christmas according to the Hebrew calendar. Because of that, the two are celebrated side by side under the “Happy Holidays” moniker. But in terms of religious significance, Hanukkah doesn’t rank as high for Jews as Christmas ranks for Christians. “It’s hard to not make a big deal of out Hanukkah living in America, and I’m not sure it’s a bad thing,” said Rabbi Rhoda Silverman of Temple Emanuel in Reisterstown. “That’s not a problem for me as long as we don’t forget about everything else that makes us Jewish.” Jonathan Schwartz, senior aide to Baltimore County Council Chairwoman Vicki Almond and a member of Temple Emanuel, sees Hanukkah as having two roles in the lives of American Jews…

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Hanukkah Events in Owings Mills-Reisterstown

Check out what two synagogues are doing to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights.

Several local synagogues are having special Hanukkah events this weekend. On Saturday, Temple Emanuel is having a Shabbat Hannukah event from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. that starts with Shabbat worship and then goes into sharing Hannukah foods and activities. There will be activities for all ages, ranging from dreidel games to adult text study. On Friday, Har Sinai in Owings Mills is holding Hannukah Shabbat Rocks! The event features a family Shabbat dinner and the congregation’s in-house rock band, Chai-Jinx. The family Shabbat dinner costs $15 for adults and $9 for children. To RSVP for dinner or learn more, call the synagogue at 410-654-9393.

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State, County VIPs Gather for Menorah Lighting Ceremony

Rabbi Schmuel of Chabad Center and Lubavitch of Maryland led the ceremony, while elected officials and Pikesville area community leader Ron Rosenbluth lit the lamps.

The Jewish Girl Scouts Troop sold boxes of cookies, while congregants of Chabad Center in Pikesville handed out menorahs to people who don't have them. It was Monday night—the third of the eight-night Festival of Lights—when state and county elected officials and community members gathered at The Chanukah House in Pikesville for the menorah lighting ceremony. Israel 'Izzy' Patoka of Gov. Martin O'Malley's office; Del. Dana Stein, and Pikesville area community leader Ron Rosenbluth each lit one of the three lamps. Baltimore County Council Chairwoman Vicki Almond lit the shamash—the middle lamp. Rabbi Schmuel Kaplan of Chabad Center and Lubavitch of Maryland led the ceremony. Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz had planned to attend, …

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Featured Event: Chanukah Shabbat Rocks at Har Sinai

Join Har Sinai for a musical Chanukah and Shabbat experience featuring the congregation's in-house band, Chai-Jinx.

Hanukkah: It Isn't 'Christmas' for Jews

Hanukkah is not, for Jews, what Christmas is for Christians. Here’s what rabbis have to say about the holiday season.

While Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, changes dates each year according to the Hebrew calendar, it usually falls in close proximity to Christmas. That means the two are often lumped together under the ubiquitous "Happy Holidays" banner. This year, in fact, Hanukkah's fifth night is Christmas Eve. Rabbi/Cantor Rhoda Silverman of Temple Emanuel in Reisterstown said Hanukkah, which is not one of the holiest Jewish days, should be seen as separate from the Christian commemoration. “We don’t have to merge them and melt them down together into one American festival in order to respect each other,” she said. “We can respect each other’s holidays and keep their integrity.” Because of Hanukkah's proximity to Christmas, it has fallen victim…

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Five Fun Hanukkah Links: Giant Menorahs, Adam Sandler and Potato Latkes

Happy Hanukkah from Reisterstown Patch! Here are five things we found online that can help you celebrate and learn about the holiday.

With today being the first day of Hanukkah, we though we’d highlight some fun and interesting articles and videos about the holiday. 1. Adam Sandler – Hanukkah Song (Part Three) Here’s a Saturday Night Live performance of the third installment of Adam Sandler’s tribute to famous Jews. It features a chorus of kids in hanukkiya sweatshirts and Rob Schneider. Enough said. 2. The Meaning of Hanukkah A Rabbi from Toledo, OH, speaks to a news anchor about the meaning of Hanukkah and its various symbols. This is great video for someone looking for a brief overview of the story and traditions associated with the holiday. 3. A Recipe for Potato Latkes Here’s a recipe for one of the signature dishes of most Hanukkah celebrations, and one of my …

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