JMM Insights: The First Night of Hanukkah

Post author By RachelK
Post date 12/10/2020

Two white girls stand in front of a large menorah. They are both holding Hanukkah related handicrafts and look like they are showing them to each other. — *From the JMM Collections: Hanukkah 1966. Photo by N. Seigel, Jewish Community Center Collection, JMM 2006.13.2444.*

Tonight (actually by the time you read this, last night) is the first night of Hanukkah and what better theme for this week’s edition of JMM Insights? Just like Passover this year, our Hanukkah celebrations are looking a little different – but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a memorable and meaningful festival of lights!

Blue background image with yellow, blue, and grey illustrated bunting across the top and a bottom border of gifts, candles, donuts, dreidels and menorahs. Text on the image reads Hanukkah Nightly Stories SEries

First off, we hope you’ll join us to kick off our Hanukkah Story Series with the CJE Library tonight at 5pm – Sonia Kozlovsky and her grandchildren will read The Magic Dreidels, as well as share a special craft and song to get everyone in the Hanukkah spirit. Tune in tomorrow (Friday – that’s today!) for a special Shabbat-themed night of Hanukkah, while Saturday’s program celebrates Havdalah with a healthy dose of Hanukkah music. You can check out the full schedule here.

Black and white photo of a group of 5 white adults, three men and two women stand holding paper drink cups. Some are holding what look like desserts in their hands. All are smiling at each other. — *From* *the JMM Collections: JFCB Annual Hanukkah Party, December 15,1952. JMM 1997.134.252.*

If you’re looking for some slightly more grown-up stories, while these aren’t necessarily Hanukkah stories, we think you’ll enjoy these unique tales collected by the Stoop Storytelling series from Jewish Marylanders navigating the “holiday season:”

Do you have any fun, special, or memorable Hanukkah stories? We’d love to hear about them!

JMM is collecting stories of the pandemic. We would love to hear the unique ways you are celebrating Hanukkah with your family and friends this year. Share your stories, photos, crafts, Hanukkah cards, or a recording of your favorite holiday song!

Use this form to easily share your experience with us. You can even send us mail (we love getting mail!), or email Joanna Church, Director of Collections & Exhibits, at jchurch@jewishmuseummd.org.

black and white photograph of Mayor Martin O'Malley standing at a podium in front of the doors to a house decorated with all sorts of Hanukkah themed items. He is surrounded by a small grouwd listening to him speak. — *From the JMM collections: Mayor O’Malley speaks to the crowd on* *Park Heights Ave at the first Annual Community Chanukah Celebration in front of the “Chanukah House.” Baltimore Jewish Times Collection, JMM 2012.054.087.056.*

Next, we invite you to take a walk down memory lane with Lorie Rombro’s ode to the Baltimore Chanukah House. Maybe it will inspire you to put up some decorations of your own – don’t worry, we’ve got some suggestions you may enjoy – plus a few tunes to put together the perfect soundtrack! And don’t worry, we’ve got a few ideas for some vintage nibbles as well. (Though if you’re looking for something new to bring to the table, Tablet’s got a great illustrated guide for fritters from around the world.)

A triptych image showing left to right: a pair of handmade hanukah cards featuring stars of david, the 2020 USPS Hanukkah stamp featuring an illustration of two white children, girl on the left, boy wearing a yamulke on the right, lighting the candles of a menorah with the word Hanukkah at the top; a green square with a white snowflake on it that reads December Mitzvah Day Cards JVC.

We know how hard it is not to see our loved ones face-to-face, especially during holidays. This is the perfect year to make and send Hanukkah cards to everyone you are missing. This year’s official USPS Hanukkah stamp is delightful as well. Maybe e-mail is more your style – you can find some great options here or here. If you’re looking to share some joy outside your own social circle, think about signing up to create Mitzvah Day cards with Jewish Volunteer Connection as a Hanukkah #ActOfService.

Black and white photo of a young white boy sticking some Hanukkah decorations on a wall. He is facing away from the camera. — *From the JMM Collections: Decorating for Hanukkah. Jewish Community Center Collection, JMM 2006.013.2458*

No JMM holiday celebration would be complete without a dive into the collections! We definitely recommend starting with Joanna’s in-depth look at one family’s menorah and these throwback posts to materials we used in a small Lloyd Street Synagogue exhibit case. But there is lots more to explore in our online catalog – from menorahs to dreidels, take a look at all things Hanukkah.

Share your favorite menorah or dreidel with us on social media – bonus points if it comes with a family story! (Facebook) (Twitter) (Instagram)

A color photograph showing 8 Hanukkah menorahs filled with mostly melted, lit candles.

While all good things must come to an end (and after 8 days of latkes, that’s probably a good thing for our health!), we didn’t want to leave you with a mess. Tracie Guy-Decker’s blog on “The Oven Method” for cleaning your menorahs is the perfect end note for a Hanukkah celebration.