This year, the eight-night festival of lights overlaps Christmas on the calendar, but Jews in Chicago and across the country seem tobe celebrating with as much gutzpah as ever.
Some say it was Adam Sandler’s song that gave Hanukkah a boost back in 1994. In the 21st-century,Jewish musicians continue to make the household holiday a little more mainstream. Although radio stations aren’t playing Hanukkah tunes 24-7, these musicians hold holiday concerts in major cities.
Temple Shalom, a reform congregation on North Lake Shore Drive on the North Side, is hosting folk singer Rabbi Joe Black for a concertand CD release party on Saturday. The Temple Shalom Web site describes Black’s music as “Dreidel, dreidel” sung a la Hank Williams.
The festivities extend beyond music, Chicago bars are also having Hanukkah specials:
• Matzo Bash on Wednesday at Martini Park in downtown Chicago
• Bucktownukahat Nick’s Beer Garden on the Northwest Side
And lastly, “Something Else!” for little kids who won’t be opening presents from Santa Thursday morning: the Spertus Institute for Jewish Studies in downtown Chicago has planned family events and entertainment on Thursday.
Happy Hanukkah-ing, Chicago!
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Kate Shellnutt
I’m a freelance religion reporter and blogger for the Little Things. I majored in religion and journalism as an undergrad, and I'm now completing my master's in journalism at Medill.
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As a Jew, I hate that Hanukkah (a minor Jewish holiday) has been turned into the Jewish Christmas. It has been turned into it by Jews who learned nothing about their own faith and coveted the beautiful Christmases of their friends in school. For anyone interested in the real Hanukkah history and traditions, I suggest http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday7.htm
It's true that Hanukkah isn't immune from Christmas' commercialization. I fear that with the PC move to "holiday" celebrations things will one day just be a general glittery mess of gift-giving, devoid of religious depth or meaning. Thanks for directing to a substantial site!
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