A Festival Under a Cloud As the nights grow longer and the air crisper, Jewish communities around the world prepare to celebrate Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. This joyous occasion, traditionally marked by the lighting of the menorah, the spinning of dreidels, and the sharing of fried foods, commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple…
Introduction Hanukkah, often called the Festival of Lights, is one of the most cherished and widely observed Jewish holidays. This eight-day celebration is a joyous time filled with family gatherings, delicious foods, and the warm glow of the menorah. While many people are familiar with Hanukkah, understanding its historical significance, the precise timing of the…
Introduction Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a joyous and significant holiday in the Jewish calendar. A time for family, reflection, and celebration, Hanukkah brings warmth and light to the darkest time of the year. Often, people unfamiliar with Jewish traditions wonder exactly when the candles will be lit each year. Many…
The Festival of Lights Begins in Syracuse The glow of candlelight pierced the brisk evening air as the Syracuse community gathered to celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah, a joyous and historically significant Jewish holiday, commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century BCE. It’s a…
The crisp Syracuse air buzzed with anticipation as hundreds gathered, their faces lit by the flickering glow of handheld candles and the promise of a brighter week ahead. The annual lighting of the menorah in downtown Syracuse wasn’t just a symbolic act; it was a vibrant testament to community, faith, and the enduring spirit of…
A Hanukkah of Grief and Resilience The eight nights of Hanukkah, a festival of light, joy, and rededication, have arrived, yet this year the glow of the menorah is shadowed by profound grief and anxiety. For families in Israel and around the world, the spirit of Hanukkah is intertwined with an agonizing reality: the plight…
Understanding the Anticipation of the Holiday The festive season has arrived, and with it comes the warmth and glow of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. This joyous holiday, celebrated by Jewish communities around the world, is a time for families to come together, celebrate miracles, and rededicate themselves to their faith and heritage. But when…
