topic Re: Hanukkah question? in Community Chat

Hanukkah question?

Linders Back — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 18:23:35 GMT

I know this is the place to come for answers as fellow posters are all very helpful.

MY neighbor is having a Family Hanukkah Party this coming Sunday and has asked my husband and I to join them. We will be the only non-Jewish/non family people there. Are there any do's or don't as far as etiquette, gift giving, etc. that I should be aware of? I would hate to commit a faux pas.

Thanks in advance.

Re: Hanukkah question?

hennypenny — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 18:34:11 GMT

No special ettiquette.

Hanukkah, is just a fun celebration of the oil in the destroyed Temple burning for eight days.We celebrate by lighting candles each night. On the first night it is one, the second it is two etc. They are lighted by a ninth candle called the shammas. A very short hebrew prayer is recited and then on to whatever else is planned.

You might want to bring a small gift to the family= cookies, candy, wine ==whatever you might bring to any dinner party. Relax, nothing special just a thought.

Just go and enjoy. It is a fun time, not a seriously religious one.

Let us hear about the party.

I just wanted to add, there are two threads on Among Friends related to Hanukkah. You might enjoy reading how different families celebrate.

henny

Re: Hanukkah question?

reiki604 — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 18:36:33 GMT

There are no do's or don'ts as far as a party celebrating Hannukah because the only traditions are the lighting of the menorah for eight nights to commemorate the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days instead of one. Foods are traditionally fried to also commemorate the oil. Children are given small gifts each night and there is a game played with the dreidel. Any party or large gathering would be more of a seasonal holiday party so I don't think there are any traditional rules about the holiday to be broken. Just have fun, Hannukah is a happy holiday.

Re: Hanukkah question?

KYToby — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 19:27:40 GMT

Do: Have fun.

Don't: Offer to take ham sandwiches.

Enjoy!

Re: Hanukkah question?

sunala — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 19:34:51 GMT

I agree with everything above.

Chanukah is a very minor holiday on the Jewish calendar. It's called the Festival of Lights, because a day's worth of oil miraculously burned for eight days (abbreviated version lol).

That's why we fry everything in oil, including potato latkes and doughnuts, which are traditional Chanukah foods.

Just go and enjoy, and bring your appetite!

PS Linders Back, it's very nice of you to ask!

Re: Hanukkah question?

foundinlv — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 20:03:03 GMT

I never enjoyed the food....found it puke worthy as a matter of fact. I hope I'm allowed to say that. I am Jewish. The food is not for everyone's taste....don't feel bad Linders Back if you hate it. Carry a napkin around with you and take small bites.

Re: Hanukkah question?

I am still oxox — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 20:42:58 GMT

On 12/16/2014 Ilikeshade said:
I never enjoyed the food....found it puke worthy as a matter of fact. I hope I'm allowed to say that. I am Jewish. The food is not for everyone's taste....don't feel bad Linders Back if you hate it. Carry a napkin around with you and take small bites.

Puke worthy oh lord

the only Chanukah foods I can think of is latkes or jelly donuts, neither is puke worthy in my book

Re: Hanukkah question?

foundinlv — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 20:51:34 GMT

On 12/16/2014 I am still oxox said:
On 12/16/2014 Ilikeshade said:
I never enjoyed the food....found it puke worthy as a matter of fact. I hope I'm allowed to say that. I am Jewish. The food is not for everyone's taste....don't feel bad Linders Back if you hate it. Carry a napkin around with you and take small bites.

Puke worthy oh lord

the only Chanukah foods I can think of is latkes or jelly donuts, neither is puke worthy in my book

Gefilte fish, lox.....not for me. I also did not care for latkes. We were never given donuts but if they were home fried I'm sure they would have tasted terrible.

Re: Hanukkah question?

sophiamarie — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 20:58:05 GMT

Wear a Burka and bring matzo-brei.......

Latkes are great with sour cream too......

Re: Hanukkah question?

Say Nay — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 20:58:08 GMT

Enjoy the party LB.

Happy Chanukah to all those who celebrate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoHp2Rq8sMI#t=16

Re: Hanukkah question?

hennypenny — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 21:17:30 GMT

Christmas,

Thank you for the wonderful video. It gave me a good chuckle.

Re: Hanukkah question?

foundinlv — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 21:22:08 GMT

On 12/16/2014 Christmas Balls said:
Enjoy the party LB.

Happy Chanukah to all those who celebrate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoHp2Rq8sMI#t=16

Here's another ridiculous one Gato!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApdOkQ2UcgA

Re: Hanukkah question?

Say Nay — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 22:26:21 GMT

On 12/16/2014 Ilikeshade said:
On 12/16/2014 Christmas Balls said:
Enjoy the party LB.

Happy Chanukah to all those who celebrate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoHp2Rq8sMI#t=16

Here's another ridiculous one Gato!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApdOkQ2UcgA

Thanks!

You're welcome hennypenny

Re: Hanukkah question?

Linders Back — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 00:38:37 GMT

Thank you everyone for the quick and helpful replies. You've set my mind at ease and I'm really looking forward to Sunday. Our neighbors are in the process of downsizing to a new home, so I think a gift of wine as suggested will be perfect. (There is always room for wine and I know they love it).

I'm always interested in trying new foods so it should be fun. I LOVE Latkes with applesauce and sour cream (co-worker used to always bring those to our Holiday Party at work) so I guess I won't starve. And who doesn't like Donuts?

Wishing all of you a Happy Hanukkah! Thanks again, Linder

Re: Hanukkah question?

JustJazzmom — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 01:37:43 GMT

Re: the wine-- do they keep a kosher house? If so, you may want to purchase a Kosher wine. Ask the local wine store for their assistance in choosing a wine.

Re: Hanukkah question?

colliemom4 — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 01:40:07 GMT

Loved the video.

Re: Hanukkah question?

NoelSeven — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 04:04:51 GMT

Hi LB

I'm a Protestant with a lot of Jewish friends and have been to many Chanukah dinners, you will love it!

The food is always good and could be turkey or brisket or salmon. Many choices. The side dishes will have more to do with tradition, like latkes or donuts fried in oil, and usually honey.

You won't have to know anything, people will be happy to explain it to you

Re: Hanukkah question?

Linders Back — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 04:10:17 GMT

On 12/16/2014 JustJazzmom said:
Re: the wine-- do they keep a kosher house? If so, you may want to purchase a Kosher wine. Ask the local wine store for their assistance in choosing a wine.

No, they don't keep a Kosher house. He and my husband talk wine all the time (both are obsessed) and are always comparing favorite vintages and vintners so I think he'll be able to choose a perfect one for them but I appreciate you pointing that out as it might have been an issue.

Noel: just saw your post. I have no doubt that all the food will be awesome as my neighbor is always bringing me home-baked goodies all year round. Her whole family lives within a few blocks and she does all the cooking for all of them. It's her passion.

My husband often wonders why I spend so much time here and I always say that it's the best place to learn new things and now he knows if we need an answer to anything, this is the #1 place to go. He thanks you all and wishes you all a Happy Hanukkah, too.

Re: Hanukkah question?

hennypenny — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 05:21:36 GMT

Hi to Mr Linder! Happy Holidays from henny and mr henny.

Re: Hanukkah question?

Linders Back — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 22:22:07 GMT

On 12/16/2014 hennypenny said:
Hi to Mr Linder! Happy Holidays from henny and mr henny.

Thank you and same back to you.