Friday, December 14, 2012
While the two holidays fall in close proximity to each other and are celebrated in popular culture together, Hanukkah does not hold the religious significance for Jews that Christmas holds for Christians.
Each year, Hanukkah falls in close proximity or during Christmas according to the Hebrew calendar. Because of that, the two are celebrated side by side under the “Happy Holidays” moniker. But in terms of religious significance, Hanukkah doesn’t rank as high for Jews as Christmas ranks for Christians. “It’s hard to not make a big deal of out Hanukkah living in America, and I’m not sure it’s a bad thing,” said Rabbi Rhoda Silverman of Temple Emanuel in Reisterstown. “That’s not a problem for me as long as we don’t forget about everything else that makes us Jewish.” Jonathan Schwartz, senior aide to Baltimore County Council Chairwoman Vicki Almond and a member of Temple Emanuel, sees Hanukkah as having two roles in the lives of American Jews…
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Looking for something exciting to do this weekend? Check out some of the fun things going on around town.
Each week, Patch puts together a list of local activities and events going on in your area this weekend. Check back weekly and tell us in the comments if you know of any additional activities coming up. To submit an event in the Patch events calendar, click on “Events” at the top of the page and then click on the green "Add an event" button on the right side of the page. Christmas Concert to Benefit Westminster Rescue Mission Naturalist Show and Tell Adult Coed Soccer A Sesame Street Chanukah Party Holiday Artravaganza 32nd Street Farmers' Market Chanukah Wonderland Baltimore County Youth Ballet Nutcracker Nutcracker on Ice The Bard in the Barn The Holiday Train Garden Christmas at Boordy
Monday, December 10, 2012
Rabbi Schmuel of Chabad Center and Lubavitch of Maryland led the ceremony, while elected officials and Pikesville area community leader Ron Rosenbluth lit the lamps.
The Jewish Girl Scouts Troop sold boxes of cookies, while congregants of Chabad Center in Pikesville handed out menorahs to people who don't have them. It was Monday night—the third of the eight-night Festival of Lights—when state and county elected officials and community members gathered at The Chanukah House in Pikesville for the menorah lighting ceremony. Israel 'Izzy' Patoka of Gov. Martin O'Malley's office; Del. Dana Stein, and Pikesville area community leader Ron Rosenbluth each lit one of the three lamps. Baltimore County Council Chairwoman Vicki Almond lit the shamash—the middle lamp. Rabbi Schmuel Kaplan of Chabad Center and Lubavitch of Maryland led the ceremony. Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz had planned to attend, …
Friday, December 23, 2011
Hanukkah is not, for Jews, what Christmas is for Christians. Here’s what rabbis have to say about the holiday season.
While Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, changes dates each year according to the Hebrew calendar, it usually falls in close proximity to Christmas. That means the two are often lumped together under the ubiquitous "Happy Holidays" banner. This year, in fact, Hanukkah's fifth night is Christmas Eve. Rabbi/Cantor Rhoda Silverman of Temple Emanuel in Reisterstown said Hanukkah, which is not one of the holiest Jewish days, should be seen as separate from the Christian commemoration. “We don’t have to merge them and melt them down together into one American festival in order to respect each other,” she said. “We can respect each other’s holidays and keep their integrity.” Because of Hanukkah's proximity to Christmas, it has fallen victim…
Gregg Roberts
4:11 am on Sunday, December 16, 2012
It drives me crazy when people keep repeating the line ''Hanukkah is a minor holiday.'' In Israel children have off all week for Hanukkah. Orthodox Jewish schools in Baltimore have a 4 day weekend. Hanukkah is other then Purim the only holiday that traditionally doesn't have restrictions on music, travel etc. and is the last holiday historically and the only one to have happened in Israel. No … more ›