Rabbi Kliger will be lighting the first candle
tonight
WOODSTOCK – The sweet aroma of potato pancakes wafted through the Woodstock Jewish Congregation temple in Glasco Friday afternoon, as staff and volunteers put the finishing touches on a special Chanukah celebration scheduled for the weekend. The eight-day holiday begins at Sunday tonight (Saturday).
Rabbi Jonathan Kligler said Chanukah is often celebrated at home, with the lighting of a Menorah, a nine-pointed candelabra commemorating the rededication of the second Temple in Jerusalem in 165 BCE. Each night observes the legend of the first Menorah, which only had enough oil for one evening, but burned miraculously for eight.
In Judaism, all the various holidays share similar levels of importance. Chanukah stands out due to its proximity to Christmas, Kligler said. Still, there’s always deep meaning during Chanukah, the rabbi said.
“One is the faith that the dark times will pass – and to keep the faith,” Rabbi Kligler said. “Another is to remember in the Chanukah story; it’s a battle against tyranny that wanted to prevent Jews from celebrating their faith. There’s a lot at stake in the Chanukah story that’s unfortunately very alive today in this country. I hope it inspires people to keep their light shining.”
This year, the Chanukah festival falls on Christmas Eve, the first such coincidence in 40 years. The 29½-day lunar Jewish calendar cycles Chanukah differently each time, from early as Thanksgiving to after the New Year.
Many Jewish followers worldwide, including Woodstock, acknowledge the unique “Chrismukkah holiday crossover by eating Chinese food. In addition to delicious Asian cuisine, those irresistible latkes will be also be served at the temple.
The feast takes place at the Woodstock Jewish Congregation social hall, on Glasco Turnpike, between 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., Saturday, December 24, free of charge. Afterward there will be a humorous staged reading of Richard Orloff’s “Oy!” comedy featuring Yiddish words.
Rabbi Kligler, spiritual leader of the reformed synagogue, explained why Jews eat Chinese food, a widely held, unofficial cultural joke. “It’s because the people who weren’t celebrating Christmas were Jews, and Chinese restaurants were open. So, Jews often eat Chinese food on Christmas,” he said.
The following Friday, December 30, is scheduled another the holiday party observing the seventh Day of Chanukah, with traditional activities like singing, dreidels – four-sided tops with a different Hebrew letter on each side, chocolate, vegan potluck, and of course, more latkes.
