Lessons of Hanukkah

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When I was young, Hanukkah was recognized only by the local library with its menorah in the window and at home with a menorah no bigger than an adult's hand, purchased so that our household would light candles rather than electric bulbs at the request of my brother's Hebrew school teachers.

The candles have since burned down low many, many times. Yet this year, in time for reflection on Hanukkah 2018. I have noticed a change and realize that sometimes it isn't about bias but limited knowledge — taking the time to understand what the holiday symbols and traditions represent before spending time and sincere effort to present them.

It started with Jewish Heritage Night at the Long Island Nets that provided the fans with dance, song, candle lighting and "trivia" about Jews and the Jewish community during the basketball game. All was going well until the big scoreboard flashed information about dreidels, the spinning tops that are played during Hanukkah and the announcer tripping on the pronunciation. He called them "dray-DELLs" rather than "DRAY-dills" and it was the first time I ever heard that enunciation inside the Diaspora. The scoreboard went on to present the three of the four letters on the sides of the dreidel as the same (they aren't) and that traditional Hanukkah foods are potato pancakes (good) challah bread, brisket and matzo ball soup (maybe) and no mention of jelly donuts.


Dinner in a local family restaurant that night found the first of many menorahs that was presented inaccurately. Facing the viewer, candles are displayed from right to left and the center candle is lit every night. It is my thinking that acknowledging the holiday and providing the light is most relevant, and although local university offices, stores, and dining spots had all the best intentions they just haven't realized there is an order. It's all about educating.

Finally, after a visit to a local card retailer who had a simple, end of aisle display for Hanukkah, I had to reach out to the parent company. The display had included a tabletop tree with Chinese food container ornaments hung from its branches. It took four calls to get a response from corporate in Kansas City, Missouri as well as the regional director in New York to explain my concerns regarding this depiction. In fairness, everyone was sensitive and apologetic once they understood my view.

Hanukkah and Christmas are all about joy and peace and bringing light to the universe with all the best intentions. May we go from celebration to celebration together, sensitive to traditions and making a concerted effort to understand each other's ways as we make our way in this vast, diverse world.

A contributing writer to the Herald since 2012, Lauren Lev is an East Meadow resident and a direct marketing/advertising executive who teaches advertising and marketing communications courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology/SUNY, LIU Post and SUNY Old Westbury.