Holidays are coming… Celebrating Chrismukah
Israeli Missions Around The World European-Union News Newsletter Holidays are coming… Celebrating Chrismukah

Holidays are coming… Celebrating Chrismukah

  • 12/20/2016
  • icon_zoom.png
    Happy Holidays from Israel Happy Holidays from Israel Copyright: Ministry of Tourism
     
     
    ​
    Subscribe to our newsletter here
     
    Christmas eve and the first day of Chanukah fall this year on the same day. A good moment to reflect on the origins of Chrismukah: Long before the English term “Chrismukah” became popular through the US TV series O.C. California the holidays of Chanukah and Christmas have been merged by interfaith families and secular Jewish families living in countries with a Christian majority. Interestingly enough, the first historically mentioned Christmas tree in Vienna was put up in 1814 by Fanny von Arnstein, a Jewish society lady from Berlin who brought the tradition from her home country – to the very surprise of Austrian aristocracy.
     
    The holidays have fundamentally different origins and Christmas is one of the main holidays in Christianity while Chanukah is a smaller celebration in Judaism. But they also share some characteristics - both holidays are festivals of lights and focus on benevolence and charity. Chanukah commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Revolt of Judah Maccabee and his brothers against the repression of the Seleucid (Syrian Greek) Empire.
    When Judah's men sought to relight the Temple menorah they only found pure, undefiled olive oil for one day. But the limited quantity of oil miraculously burned for the eight days required for new oil to be pressed. Thus, for the holiday of Chanukah eight candles are lit on eight consecutive days and it commemorates also the miracle of the oil.
     
    Traditional Chanukah food is therefore oily food. Fried delicacies such as potato latkes (fried potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (doughnuts) are the main features of the Chanukah kitchen and can equally be found on many Christmas markets. Check out these Chrismukah variations of the traditional recipes such as Mini Pumpkin Sufganiyot or Apple Fritter Rings with Caramel Sauce that will make your mouth water…  Also the Gingerbread and Cookie Butter Rugelach and Dark Chocolate and Cranberry Challah Bread Pudding will make you wanna celebrate Chrismukah.
     
    Brussels has developed its very own version of Chanukah celebrations: EuroChanukah was initiated by the European Jewish Community Center in Brussels in cooperation with the European Commission. This year the celebration was held under the auspices of Miss Věra Jourová, Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality. The event was dedicated to Elie Wiesel, a man who devoted his life to sharing his own light to better the world.
     
    In this sense, we wish you happy holidays and a happy new year 2017. May it be a year full of light, peace, and happiness.