For Kislev we offer you a brand new podcast, “Chanukah: The Tofu of Jewish Holidays – the multiple meanings of the festival” by Rabbi David Levin-Kruss, with suggestions for how to use the ideas in your work.

We have also chosen some of the best online materials about Chanukah including: how to light candles, the historical background and meaning, the best Chanukah songs for kids and adults, and some articles that offer contemporary interpretations of Chanukah that are relevant for us today. Please see these resources below “how to use the podcast”.   

We’d love to hear from you about how you use these resources and what other materials or support you need in your work. Be in touch with us at info@yesodeurope.eu

(Picture credit: Jewish source.com the source for everything Jewish)

New Yesod Podcast: “Chanukah: The Tofu of Jewish Holidays”

This month our resources focus on the holiday festival of Chanukah, that time of year when our candles light the dark winter nights and we celebrate the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days. Or maybe not…

It turns out that Chanukah is more complicated than that and the miracle of the oil is just one way to look at the festival. In this month’s Yesod podcast, Rabbi David Levin-Kruss argues that the food that reflects the meaning of Chanukah best is not the latke or even the doughnut but … tofu! Yes, tofu. Just like tofu absorbs the flavours it is cooked in, so Chanukah absorbs multiple meanings and has been understood in many ways in our tradition.

In just 15 minutes, our engaging podcast will illuminate the different ways our tradition understands the meaning of Chanukah. Download the accompanying source sheet to follow the sources mentioned.

How to Use the Podcast

Simply listen and enjoy some new insights into the meaning of Chanukah!

With your team/colleagues:

Dedicate a staff meeting to some learning about Chanukah. Bring source sheets and listen together to the podcast.

Discuss the following questions afterwards:

• What meaning of Chanukah did you learn first (as a child or adult)?
• Which approach in the podcast resonates with you the most and why?
• Which of the multiple meanings of Chanukah are likely to be most meaningful to your constituents or service users?

With teenagers/young adults:

Expose people to the complexity and multiple meanings of the holiday.

• Hand out source sheets and explain that you are going to learn about 4 different approaches to Chanukah.
• Start by asking participants to say what Chanukah means to them and how they celebrate it.
• Read the sources together or in small groups. Ask participants to look for the differences between the texts, especially in relation to the following elements:
  • G-d’s role – where is G-d and how (or if) is  G–d involved?
  • The war – what role does the war play and who is fighting who?
  • The miracle – what is the miracle?
  • Purity – who and what is pure and with what purpose?
• Discuss – what do participants think Chanukah is really celebrating? Which of the 4 texts resonates with them the most and why?
• Option: Divide the group randomly into 4 small groups and give each small group one of the texts. Their task is to make an argument to the rest about why theirs is the correct meaning of the festival and why that is most relevant to them today. Stage a debate between the groups. The most convincing group wins a prize (dreidels? doughnuts?).
• Ask participants to consider the question: What are you willing to fight for? In light of the story, it is clear that the Hasmoneans were willing to fight (and die) for their right to pray the way they wanted to (and not worship idols). Is there anything your participants feel so strongly about – Jewish or not? Debate the various values or ideals that participants would be willing to fight for.

Selected Resources: Kislev

Chanukah: General Background and How to
Historical background and information

How to Light the candles (including blessings)

Chanukah: Songs and materials for children and families

Traditional Chanukah songs 

Modern Chanukah songs

Chanukah activities based on primary materials from the National Library of Israel

“Lights” – an award-winning animated movie about the meaning of Chanukkah

Chanukah: Multiple Meanings and Relevance Today

Chanukah and national freedom – Natan Sharansky and the lessons of Chanukah

Chanukah and religious freedom

Chanukah and personal re-dedication

Chanukah and religious fundamentalism

Chanukah and Christmas – how do we relate? Interfaithfamily.com has lots of resources that highlight the “December Dilemma” ­as well as teach about Chanukah customs and its meaning