Reflection on Hanukkah (Chanukah)

This reflection written by Todd Bresler originally appeared in the Superintendent’s Update by Superintendent Cliff Chuang on Friday, Dec. 3. Please find this week’s full issue of Superintendent’s Update and back issues at bedfordps.org.

Todd Bresler and his wife have lived in Bedford since 2011. They have a son at Lane School and a daughter at Davis School.

There is an old Jewish joke that all of our holidays are about, “They tried to kill us. We survived. Let’s eat!” While not every Jewish holiday marks a period of persecution, many do. Hanukah is one of the most famous.

Hanukah marks a time in Jerusalem, Israel, centuries ago when the Greek empire sought to force the Jews to convert and give up our culture and religion. We celebrate the underdog story of a small, but determined Jewish army who, against all odds, defended Jerusalem, battling back the Greeks to save the Jewish culture, and reclaimed what was left of the great temple that had been ransacked. Part of that ancient temple still stands today – the Western Wall, one of the most famous destinations in Israel.

To celebrate Hanukah, we sing, dance, play dreidel, give gifts, and eat food fried in oil (“latkes” or potato pancakes, and “sufganiyot” or, jelly donuts). The oil-fried food, the eight nights, and the menorah, are all to remember the miracle that while cleaning up the temple, the Jews only had one night worth of oil left in the altar’s lamp. Miraculously, that little oil burned for eight nights, enough time to make more oil so the lamp could continue shining bright!

Hanukah is also a time to remind our kids that hate and intolerance against anyone just because they are different, like what happened to us so long ago and still happens today, is unacceptable and something we speak up against.

In current events, we may talk about how the attack against Israel on Oct. 7 is like the Hanukah story. Yes, even today, Jews and many other minorities face threats, hate, and intolerance. Hanukah is a reminder of how important it is to stand up for our traditions and to be proud of who we are, and to also stick up for the rights of persecuted people everywhere.

This year in 2023, Hanukah begins at sundown on Thursday, Dec. 7, and ends the evening of Friday, Dec. 15.

From our family to yours, wishing everyone a happy holiday season!

Read more about Hanukkah (Chanukah) here.