Every year, for eight consecutive nights, Jews around the world celebrate this Festival of Lights by lighting a branched candelabra known as the menorah. To commemorate this more than 2,000-year-old-holiday, families read from the Torah, and kids spin a four-sided top known as a dreidel to win chocolate coins called gelt, while munching down on potato pancakes called latkes and jelly donuts called sufganiyot, yum!
Hanukkah, in 100 words
The Seleucids, led by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, invaded Jerusalem in 175 BCE, banning Jewish religious practice under threat of death. In 168 BCE, he desecrated the Jewish holy temple by converting it as a place to worship Zeus, the chief Greek deity. Jewish high priest Mattathias Maccabee and his five sons sparked a revolt against Syrian armies and were victorious after a three-year battle.They liberated the holy temple and lit the menorah inside, with only enough olive oil for a night. The oil burned for eight nights, enough time to replenish with new oil. Hanukkah, Hebrew for dedication, commemorates the relighting.
Jennifer Holstein remains involved in the Beijing Jewish community. She shares why this holiday is significant for her, where you can attend an event, what to bring when you go.
Where are you from, how long have you been in Beijing, how long have you been involved in Jewish groups, and what inspired you to get involved?
I am from Maryland in the USA. I have been in China for six years total over the course of 2011 until now. I was first introduced to Jewish life in Beijing when I was 16 years old and studying abroad in Beijing. The Kehillat* Beijing community quickly became my second family. In 2019, I stepped into the role of community coordinator, helping organize events and announcing weekly Shabbat gatherings. Kehillat is truly a unique Jewish community.
*Kehillat is a long form of the word kehilla (Hebrew: קהילה), which “congregation” in Hebrew, and these are Jewish communities worldwide where members celebrate with dinners and holidays. The Beijing Kehillat was founded in 1979!
Where and when are Hanukkah events, are they online/offline, and can anyone attend or only Jewish people? How do you sign up and what is the cost?
Most of our events are low-cost or free. This year we are not sure about hosting a Hannukah event, but please feel free to contact me to find out more about Jewish life in Beijing. Some of our cultural celebrations are open to the public and some are closed. Coming up in March we will have Purim* activities open to all!
To get in touch, add Jennifer on WeChat. WeChat ID: Jcourt
*Purim, the Festival of Lots, is a festival of fasting and feasting which falls on March 6 and 7 of this year. Originally named for Haman, the 5th-century BCE Persian ruler who threw “lots” to determine the date for a mass executiion, it’s become one of the most joyous festivals to celebrate the perserverance of the Jews.
What happens during a Hanukkah holiday event?
Usually, we eat latkes (a Jewish potato pancake), gelt (chocolate coins), and spin the driedel (a four-sided spinning top). We love to drink wine and eat delicious food and sing of course!
True or false: You get presents every night during Hanukkah?
False! It really depends on the family, and some parents give eight gifts, one for each night, while others may not.
If you’re invited to a Hanukkah event, what gifts should you bring?
Bring wine! You can never go wrong with some wine. Or you can bring some potato pancakes, jelly donuts, or chocolate coins. All traditional Hanukkah food.
Images: Jennifer Holstein, pexels
