Happy Hanukkah!

[Arkteia]

To our Jewish fellow PS-ers - and their friends! I really like this holiday, even the fact that it starts at sundown.

 

[yssie]

happy Chanukkah everyone


It's unbelievably early this year! DH and I are exchanging gifts on the 25th, though neither of us are Christian - we figure if we can't celebrate Chanukkah (since neither of us have anything together yet ), may as well celebrate something

 

[junebug17]

Oh my gosh, I've been so preoccupied with other things I didn't realize it was Hanukkah! It really is early this year. Happy Hanukkah everyone!!

 

[swimmer]

Thanks! It really snuck up on us this year. I'm making sweet potato latkes tonight and lighting the baby's menorah for the first time. He gets his taters pureed of course... What are other folks doing to celebrate?

And if I can ask, what do other Jews do on Xmass? We are trying to start a tradition other than going for Chinese food; I used to deliver meals on wheels to give those awesome volunteers a break, but that is tricky with a baby who hates the carseat. What do non-Christians do on a day when most everything grinds to a halt?

 

[Tuckins1]

Happy Hanukkah to all!! I hope you have a wonderful holiday!

 

[Kaleigh]

Happy Hanukkah to all our Jewish PS'ers.

 

[TooPatient]

Already?!!?!!

Wow.... better stop for some potatoes and oil on the way home.

Latkes for dinner tonight. Apple fritters for breakfast tomorrow. Suffgoniote tomorrow or Friday.


We're going to a celebration at synagogue Saturday after sundown -- latkes, suffgoniote, and Toy Story 3.


Happy Channukah!

 

[Regular Guy]

We're going to a celebration at synagogue Saturday after sundown -- latkes, suffgoniote, and Toy Story 3.


Happy Channukah!

Ditto for us this Saturday.

Tonight (oddly), I'm taking my son to Hebrew School (they might have cancelled) where they're also having a community celebration tonight, and then we'll light the first candle at home.

It is a simple holiday after all.

My goyisha wife, though, since ceding to raising our family Jewish, deserves sympathy, so I've agreed she can spoil the children with minor gifts for most of the days. A bigger gift will come, though, on the weekend, and last day.

Ira Z.

 

[Lauren8211]

Thanks! It really snuck up on us this year. I'm making sweet potato latkes tonight and lighting the baby's menorah for the first time. He gets his taters pureed of course... What are other folks doing to celebrate?

And if I can ask, what do other Jews do on Xmass? We are trying to start a tradition other than going for Chinese food; I used to deliver meals on wheels to give those awesome volunteers a break, but that is tricky with a baby who hates the carseat. What do non-Christians do on a day when most everything grinds to a halt?

We do the classic Chinese food and a movie! I'll be stalking this thread for more ideas....

 

[TooPatient]

December 24 is on a Friday this year so we're going to a Shabbat dinner with a bunch of people from our community. (hosted in the home of someone) --- assuming I feel up to it (I'm having 2 wisdom teeth taken out on Dec 23).

Our usual is to have dinner at home (nothing special, just dinner) and watch a DVD or several.

There is also catch up on housework (laundry, dishes, painting, tiling).

 

[somethingshiny]

Happy Hanukkah!

Swimmer~ Your post just sounds so sweet! We're getting ready for Lily's first Christmas and I'm sure it's a similar feeling with Baby's first Hanukkah.

I was actually wondering the other day what Jewish people would do on Christmas. We have one Jewish family in our area that I know of. They close their store and take the kids to Disneyland! They say it's a great time to take a big vacation.

 

[Haven]

Thank you! Happy Chanukah, everyone!

Our extended family is celebrating together this Saturday night. DH and I light the candles together at home, and I have Book Club at our house on Friday so I'm thinking of making some sufganiyot. I refuse to make latkes in my home ever again--we hosted the big family Chanukah party last year and our house smelled like latkes for WEEKS. It's really just a festival, Chanukah, so we don't do anything huge for it.

DH and I host a throwdown every year for Christmas Eve. I think we did chili last year, and pizza the year before. Everyone brings their best recipe (or favorite takeout) and we blind taste everything and vote on it. It's actually hilarious. We know a lot of Jews, so it's usually a big get-together.

On Christmas day we often spend the entire day at the movie theatre and do the usual Chinese takeout for dinner. Growing up we ALWAYS spent the entire day out at the movies, so I really love doing that.

 

[redfaerythinker]

What do non-Christians do on a day when most everything grinds to a halt?

I'm Catholic, but we like to go to the movies. Ever since my dad died it was just too depressing just being my mom and me so we branched out. There is always also the popular option of a nap. mmmmm napping.

 

[Lilac]

Happy Chanukah!!

DH and I still haven't lit our menorah yet, and I totally forgot this week that it was Chanukah tonight until this morning when I remembered on the train ride to school. I've had so much work to do lately, I didn't have a chance to get DH any presents yet, so I'm kinda sad about that. Talk about school taking over your life...

When DH gets home from work, we're going to light our candles and I'm pretty sure he has a present for me. Hopefully at some point I can make it up to him that I don't have one yet for him!! This weekend we have 5 family and friend Chanukah parties so that will definitely keep us busy!

As for Christmas... usually I catch up on housework, laundry, or go to the movies, but this year it's 2 days after finals are over so I will be sleeping right through it. I can't wait!

 

[yssie]

Thanks! It really snuck up on us this year. I'm making sweet potato latkes tonight and lighting the baby's menorah for the first time. He gets his taters pureed of course... What are other folks doing to celebrate?

And if I can ask, what do other Jews do on Xmass? We are trying to start a tradition other than going for Chinese food; I used to deliver meals on wheels to give those awesome volunteers a break, but that is tricky with a baby who hates the carseat. What do non-Christians do on a day when most everything grinds to a halt?

DH is Jewish, I'm Hindu. But growing up in a predominantly Christian community, every year everything about November and December was *Christmas* - the lights, the decorations, the stories and music, the apple cider and big family dinners, the tree and the presents on the morning of the 25th... It was always magical, despite taking the 'Christ' out of Christian.

It's still my favourite time of year, by far - it's still magical for me

 

[iLander]

Okay, I have some questions, and I'm do know anyone that I can ask in RL, so please don't anyone be offended at my stupidity:

If I'm not a jew can I say Happy Hanukkah to someone who is jewish? Or is it rude?

Hanukkah seems to not be quite the stuff-fest that Christmas is, is that right? Or is there a day when the kids get a big pile of toys?

Is it a very spiritual holiday?

I only know one Hanukkah song (about the dreidel), are there more?

I was once told that since I am not a jew, I shouldn't use the word jewish. Is that right?

Again, sorry if I offended anyone, just curious.

If you want, in return, can ask me about middle-american semi-agnostic Christian life

 

[Arkteia]

Okay, I have some questions, and I'm do know anyone that I can ask in RL, so please don't anyone be offended at my stupidity:

If I'm not a jew can I say Happy Hanukkah to someone who is jewish? Or is it rude?

Hanukkah seems to not be quite the stuff-fest that Christmas is, is that right? Or is there a day when the kids get a big pile of toys?

Is it a very spiritual holiday?

I only know one Hanukkah song (about the dreidel), are there more?

I was once told that since I am not a jew, I shouldn't use the word jewish. Is that right?

Again, sorry if I offended anyone, just curious.

If you want, in return, can ask me about middle-american semi-agnostic Christian life

I am not Jewish, but many Russian immigrants are Jewish, so by default our whole community is either Russian or Jewish. Plus, my oldest son was raised in Boston, where December was started with Hanukkah, which extended into Christmas... Good time for him, the schools would be closed for major part of December!

Of course you can say Happy Hanukkah to someone who is Jewish! I do not think there is an ethinic group who would feel offended if you congratulate them on their holiday or festival. At least I have not seen any.

There is nothing pejorative about the word Jewish, it is a definition of an ethnic/cultural/religious group. I think since we are not Jewish, we should not tell Jewish jokes, but even this is situational and depends on the joke. Better not to, though.

I hope Jewish PS-ers will tell you about spiritual meaning of Hanukkah; apparently there are not so many jews in where you live but your questions indicate that you are a very considerate person who shows interest in other people's culture and traditions.

 

[pinkstars]

I'm not Jewish, but would like to wish everyone a Happy Chanukah also!

Sal says Happy Chanukah too!

 

[Cehrabehra]

I'm not jewish but I saw these and thought I would share - probably a little too silly to actually wear but I think the fabric is pretty, but maybe not for jeans lol Plus the guy has a nice tushie lol Happy Hanukkah!!

http://www.bonobos.com/store/item/Midwale_Cords_Navy_Star

 

[swimmer]

WHOA! to those jeans!

I was going to take a picture of my babe in his Hanukkah onesie to share the spirit with you, but then he revisited the peas he'd just eaten. We sang the Adam Sandler song to him and he tried to catch the candle light. Baby loves fire! (and extension cords, plastic bags, whatever is not a toy.)

iLander, it is always great to spread some happiness and wish someone a happy holiday...well, except for Yom Kippur, since that is saying "have a happy day of atonement and a fun fast!" which isn't quite right, but most folks would still smile and thank you. And Jewish is the right term, not sure what else one would use, a person of Semitic origin? A chosen person?

 

[slg47]

I giggled when I saw the title as davidstarjeanbutt happy hanukkah! (not Jewish but FI is)

 

[Arkteia]

WHOA! to those jeans!

well, except for Yom Kippur, since that is saying "have a happy day of atonement and a fun fast!" which isn't quite right, but most folks would still smile and thank you.

A friend of mine who used to live in Israel and is an on-off Orthodox Jew, says that "Good yountv" or "Good yountiv" is a good way to mention it to a Jew. It is not a congratulation but rather a wish.

iLander - Hanukkah has a historical/spiritual meaning. It is lamp oil that burned for 7 days instead of one. Something about war between Jews and Makkabees (I think), and a castle that was sieged, and Jews having just a little bit of oil, and it burned for 7 days instead of one. More a tradition.

I am going to drink champagne tonight in commemoration of Hanukkah. A Jewish person I know gave this champagne to me. She knows I am not Jewish, I know I am not Jewish, and I am not even sure that champagne is something Jews drink for Hanukkah, but who would refuse good champagne?

 

[Lilac]

Okay, I have some questions, and I'm do know anyone that I can ask in RL, so please don't anyone be offended at my stupidity:

If I'm not a jew can I say Happy Hanukkah to someone who is jewish? Or is it rude?

Hanukkah seems to not be quite the stuff-fest that Christmas is, is that right? Or is there a day when the kids get a big pile of toys?

Is it a very spiritual holiday?

I only know one Hanukkah song (about the dreidel), are there more?

I was once told that since I am not a jew, I shouldn't use the word jewish. Is that right?

Again, sorry if I offended anyone, just curious.

If you want, in return, can ask me about middle-american semi-agnostic Christian life

To answer a couple of your questions (I would answer more if I had more time right now, but I'll start with a few now...)

Of course you can say Happy Hanukkah to someone who is Jewish! I wish Merry Christmas to friends of mine who aren't Jewish, and they wish Happy Hanukkah to me as well.

There are a lot of Hanukkah songs. The dreidel one you're probably talking about is usually taught to little kids in school and we still sing it now (it can be catchy ) but there are a lot more. There's actually a video going around now that a couple college kids created last week - it's pretty funny. They took the song "Dynamite" by Taio Cruz and switched the lyrics to make it a Chanukah song - if you want to listen here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSJCSR4MuhU Some of the news stations around here caught on to it and have been playing the video and interviewing the kids and it's pretty cool because we know a bunch of them.

Not sure who told you not to use the word Jewish - but there's no problem with that at all as far as I know!

 

[Cehrabehra]

WHOA! to those jeans!

I was going to take a picture of my babe in his Hanukkah onesie to share the spirit with you, but then he revisited the peas he'd just eaten. We sang the Adam Sandler song to him and he tried to catch the candle light. Baby loves fire! (and extension cords, plastic bags, whatever is not a toy.)

iLander, it is always great to spread some happiness and wish someone a happy holiday...well, except for Yom Kippur, since that is saying "have a happy day of atonement and a fun fast!" which isn't quite right, but most folks would still smile and thank you. And Jewish is the right term, not sure what else one would use, a person of Semitic origin? A chosen person?

Muslims and Christians are also of semitic origin so... that certainly wouldn't narrow it down lol

 

[Arkteia]

WHOA! to those jeans!

I was going to take a picture of my babe in his Hanukkah onesie to share the spirit with you, but then he revisited the peas he'd just eaten. We sang the Adam Sandler song to him and he tried to catch the candle light. Baby loves fire! (and extension cords, plastic bags, whatever is not a toy.)

iLander, it is always great to spread some happiness and wish someone a happy holiday...well, except for Yom Kippur, since that is saying "have a happy day of atonement and a fun fast!" which isn't quite right, but most folks would still smile and thank you. And Jewish is the right term, not sure what else one would use, a person of Semitic origin? A chosen person?

Muslims and Christians are also of semitic origin so... that certainly wouldn't narrow it down lol

I think I understood your joke, but I am totally fascinated with Indo-European migration, and hence take it seriously.

Muslims and Christians are religious denominations, that is all. There are Persians among Muslilms, Pakistani and Saudi Arabians, and Turks, and these are totally different ethnical groups, just an example. Some African countries are Muslim.

Same for Christianity. My Korean friend is a fundamental Christian.

I think it is more complicated for Jews, because to be a Jew, you have to be born of a Jewish mother, although it has become more lax in Reform Judaism, and I know some people who are not Jewish by birth but converted to Judaism and are perceived as Jews by other Jewish people.

It becomes even more difficult with the Arabs, because while we assume that Arabs are an ethnic group (and they are of semitic origin), from the standpoint of an Arab, you are an Arab if you meet certain criteria (read and write in Arabic, are a Muslim, are circumcised ... something else, I do not remember). At least this is what I have read.

I am positive you mean the origin of religions... But even this is a very complicated thing, and not straightforward. Depends on whom you are talking to. ( It is difficult because I never understand whether we can not discuss religious beliefs on this forum or religions per se, including history of religion).