Hanukkah Celebration:

Hanukkah is commonly known for being an eight-day Jewish festival of lights, celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

The oil of the menorah burned for eight days straight, and it was a symbol of hope and faith for Jewish people. A Menorah has eight spots for a candle to be lit on each night, and a ninth spot for the Shamash that is used for lighting the others. The candles are set in the Menorah from left to right, and blessings are spoken before they are lit.
It is tradition to recite three blessings on the first night, and two on the nights
following. The Menorah is often seen as a symbol of resistance and cultural pride, and is encouraged to be openly displayed from people’s homes.

Small and often homemade gifts are given to each other on each night, usually involving items that bring people together or have sentimental value. Foods are shared and eaten amongst family and community; latkes, challah bread, sufganiyot, rugelach, kugel, and matzah ball to name a few Ashkenazi delights. Some beloved Sephardi treats include bimuelos (sweet fritters), keftes de sipinaka (spinach patties), and Cassola (sweet cheese pancakes). Mizrahi Jewish cuisine also has dishes you don’t want to miss out on – Ka’abur (chicken patties), Matbucha
(tomatoes and bell peppers with garlic and chili pepper), Sabich, or Shakshuka for example. The diversity of Jewish people is proven through their history, food, and culture.

Jews against Islamophobia:

Despite this being a joy-filled holiday surrounded with loved ones and community, a lot of Jewish people have found it hard to celebrate knowing the atrocities and horrors Palestinians are actively facing. For as long as Zionism has existed, there have been Jewish people that have opposed it and knew it would lead to harming marginalized communities within imperialist and colonialist structures. Two Jewish American organizations that share these core beliefs are: Jewish Voice for Peace and Jews say No! A shared project called Jews Against Islamophobia led to the following commitments for each night of Hanukkah:

- We will not be silent about anti-Muslim and racist hate speech and hate crimes;

- We condemn state surveillance of the Muslim, Arab, and South Asian communities;

- We challenge, through our words and actions, institutionalized racism and state-sanctioned anti-Black violence;

- We protest the use of Islamophobia and anti-Arab racism to justify Israel’s repressive policies against Palestinians;

- We fight anti-Muslim profiling and racial profiling in all its forms;

- We call for an end to racist policing #SayHerName #BlackLivesMatter;

- We stand against U.S. policies driven by the ‘war on terror” that demonize Islam and devalue, target, and kill Muslims;

- We welcome Syrian refugees and stand strong for immigrants’ rights and refugee rights.

- These commitments reflect the unity and peace that Hanukkah is truly about, and insists that the only way forward is solidarity.

An excerpt from Dori Midnight:

We will keep resisting because it is our sacred duty to do so.

We refuse to let our spiritual traditions be mangled by the maw of nationalism and racism.

We resist Zionism because of our Judaism, because it is engraved in our hearts and souls to keep working for collective liberation, until we are all free.

And inshallah, Baruch ha Shem, we will keep working and singing and fighting for Palestinian dignity and liberation and the crushing of settler colonialism and imperialism everywhere, with our benevolent ancestors at our backs and our beautiful powerful web of dreamers, artists, and change makers by our sides, drawn by our visions of peace and self-determination for all people.

Antisemitism:

Antisemitism itself has also been rising in recent years, and it remains a serious threat that cannot be ignored. We have seen it take many forms: conspiracy theories blaming Jewish people for global events, vandalism of synagogues and cemeteries, harassment of visibly Jewish individuals in public spaces, and online hate speech that spreads dangerous stereotypes. These prejudiced acts and violence are unacceptable. Condemning antisemitism is not optional, but essential to building communities rooted in safety, dignity, and respect. Hanukkah’s light reminds us that Jewish identity and culture must be celebrated openly, without
fear, and that we must stand against all systems of hate.

Summary: 

• This newsletter celebrates Hanukkah by explaining traditions, symbolism, and cultural foods. It highlights the menorah as a sign of hope, resilience, and Jewish identity, and describes common holiday customs like blessings, gift-giving, and shared meals across Ashkenazi, Sephardi, and Mizrahi communities.
  
  
  
• It also addresses social justice themes. It expresses solidarity with Muslims and Palestinians, emphasizing opposition to Islamophobia, racism, state violence, and policies that target marginalized groups. An excerpt from Dori Midnight stresses resisting nationalism, racism, and colonialism while working toward collective liberation.
  
  
  
• The post further acknowledges the rise of antisemitism and affirms the importance of confronting it, protecting Jewish communities, and celebrating Jewish culture openly and safely.
  
  
  
• We have curated a shop collection in celebration of Hanukkah. It will be live from December 14th 18:00 Danish time, until the end of 22nd. Please be mindful to remain respectful when using the tallis, menorah, and kippot.
  
      
  
  

May this season of light illuminate our homes, as well as our shared path toward justice, compassion, and collective liberation. In honoring Hanukkah, we honor the resilience of our people. We recommit to a world where all people are free to live with dignity, safety, and joy.


Chag Hanukkah Sameach!

With love,

The Inclusivity Group