Hanukkah question?

Linders Back · ‎03-10-2010

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. Smile

hennypenny · ‎03-10-2010

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

reiki604 · ‎03-09-2010

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.

'I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed man'.......Unknown

KYToby · ‎02-19-2012

Do: Have fun.

Don't: Offer to take ham sandwiches.

Enjoy!

sunala · ‎03-09-2010

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!

"That's a great first pancake."
Lady Gaga, to Tony Bennett

foundinlv · ‎04-20-2012

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.

I am still oxox · ‎03-09-2010

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

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being positive what could go right.

foundinlv · ‎04-20-2012

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.