8-day celebration of Hannukah starts this week

by

Lacey Alexander

• Published on December 19, 2022 • Comments

People take pictures in front of a Menorah during the Jewish festival of Hannukah, in Istanbul, Saturday, Dec, 24, 2016.
(AP Photo/ Emrah Gurel)

On Sunday night, Jewish families across the country lit the first of a series of candles to signify the beginning of Hannukah. The holiday serves as a celebration of Jewish rebels reclaiming a house of worship from Greek control. Legend claims that the wicks of the menorah ceremoniously lit to purify the temple burned for 8 days.

Lacey Alexander

8-day celebration of Hannukah starts this week

Shira Muroff is the director of programs at the Institute of Southern Jewish Life. She says that a big misconception about Hannukah is that it's essentially the Jewish equivalent to Christmas. However, most observers attend work like normal during the holiday.

"Hannukah is not one of the most religion-significant holidays on the Jewish Calander," Muroff says. "But because of Hannukah's proximity to Christmas, it becomes a more well-known Jewish holiday than others."

Lately, anti-Semitic attitudes and statements from well-known personalities like Kanye West have been amplified. Muroff says she hopes those of the Jewish faith will not let fear stop them from publicly acknowledging the holiday.

"Your menorah... there's a tradition to put it in your window, to show the world or the neighborhood that you are celebrating this holiday," she says. "There shouldn't be any fear for anyone of any religion that they shouldn't be able to... be open and proud of the communtiy they're a part of."

Hannukah will continue until the evening of December 26th.