Hanukkah Obamakah

Some years we can't help but remark that Hanukkah is coming early, even though Hanukkah always begins at the same time each year, the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar.  This year, Hanukkah seems to be very much in sync with the secular calendar, but that didn't stop the White House from celebrating the holiday early, almost two weeks early, in fact.

Here now is a look at the Hanukkah party hosted by the President on December 8, 2011, featuring Barack Obama's greeting to all those assembled:

To prepare for this celebration, the White House kitchen, which is not normally kept kosher, had to be specially kosherized:

And what was on the menu, you well might ask.  Well Obama Foodorama, "The Blog Of Record About White House Food Initiatives, From Policy To Pie," reports the following:

A Kosher menu...with sushi rolls
The reception had a buffet of Jewish holiday specialties--as well as sushi rolls, which were also served last year. The kitchen was Koshered for the event, and the menu was prepared under the strict rabbinical supervision of Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Lubavitch Center of Washington (Chabad), in cooperation with the Rabbinical Council of Greater Washington, according to the White House. The Meat was Glatt Kosher - Chassidishe Shechitah. All baked goods were Pas Yisroel; all wines were Mevushal. The foods were prepared Lemihadrin with a Mashgiach Temidi.

2011 Hanukkah Reception Menu

Roulade of Chicken Breast
Fresh Thyme Sauce
Arugula and Fresh Artichokes
Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Filet of Beef
Au Jus
Caramelized Pearl Onions
Shiitake Mushrooms

Pine Nut Herb Crusted Lamb Chops
Mango and Mission Fig Chutney

Homemade Potato with Scallion Pancakes
Apple Sauce

Dill and Vodka Scottish Smoked Salmon
Non-Pareil Capers
Chopped Egg Whites and Yolks
Parsley
Lemon Wedges

Assorted Fresh Sushi Rolls
California Roll
Spicy Tuna Roll
Vegetable Roll
Pickled Ginger
Wasabi

Winter Squash Salad

Assorted Rolls

Dessert Station
Homemade Soufganyot
Crème Anglaise
Raspberry Jelly
"An assortment of homemade desserts" 

 

This is taken from a post entitled, President Obama Hosts 2011 White House Hanukkah Reception - The Menu, The Guest List, so go check it out if you are so inclined (the blog also features numerous White House recipes).

The decision to hold an early Hanukkah party was met with some criticism from critics and opponents of the President--must everything be politicized and polarized these days?  Obama did issue a statement of Hanukkah greetings on December 20:

Michelle and I send our warmest wishes to all those celebrating Hanukkah around the world.

This Hanukkah season we remember the powerful story of a band of believers who rose up and freed their people, only to discover that the oil left in their desecrated temple -- which should have been enough for only one night -- ended up lasting for eight.

It's a timeless story of right over might and faith over doubt -- one that has given hope to Jewish people everywhere for over 2,000 years.

And tonight, as families and friends come together to light the menorah, it is a story that reminds us to count our blessings, to honor the sacrifices of our ancestors, and to believe that through faith and determination, we can work together to build a brighter, better world for generations to come.

From our family to the Jewish Community around the world, Chag Sameach.

And here's some charming amateur footage of the lighting of the National Menorah in Washington, DC on December 20, 2011:

The American celebration of Hanukkah is indeed a celebration of freedom, of how a small band of rebels defeated the forces of a mighty empire and secured the independence of a nation, and the right to practice their own religion free from persecution or interference.

And so, we at Congregation Adas Emuno, Wish You A

Happy Hanukkah, America!

Dreidel Time!

Hanukkah just wouldn't be complete without a dreidel, so here's one:

And here's another one:

And one more for good measure:

But of course, where there's a dreidel, there's also the "Dreidel Song," and so many different ways to sing it.  For example, you can croon it like Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, or good old Sammy Davis, Jr., as Kenny Ellis does here:

And you can do it up hip hop style like Erran Baron Cohen (brother of Sacha Baron Cohen) does:

And you can sing it a cappela, like the quartet Rockapella does in this amateur video (first few seconds on the footage is black):

And how about taking a look at some more dreidels, like this one:

And this one:

And this one here:

And have you ever heard anything like this electronica version of the dreidel song?

And have you ever heard the new lyrics added to the song, here performed in a traditional manner?

And can you imagine dreidels on Broadway?

So maybe you get the point that dreidels are really super:

Of course, you don't have to be Jewish to appreciate dreidels, as Don McClean of "American Pie" fame demonstrated with his Top 40 hit from 1972, "Dreidel":

 And you don't have to be Jewish to play the dreidel game, or enjoy Hanukkah, as this original "Dreidel Song" from Incubus makes crystal clear:

So, yeah,  

Get Your Dreidel On!  

And Happy Hanukkah!

Light One Candle More

At this risk of some redundancy, since we posted this video during last year's Hanukkah celebration, here is "Light One Candle," written by Peter Yarrow, performed as a beautiful and moving live concert rendition, by Peter, Paul, and Mary:

This is very much a song about social consciousness, social justice, and social action, one of the great themes of the Jewish religious tradition.  And here are the lyrics:

Light one candle for the Maccabee children

With thanks that their light didn't die

Light one candle for the pain they endured

When their right to exist was denied

Light one candle for the terrible sacrifice

Justice and freedom demand

But light one candle for the wisdom to know

When the peacemaker's time is at hand

Don't let the light go out!

It's lasted for so many years!

Don't let the light go out!

Let it shine through our love and our tears.

Light one candle for the strength that we need

To never become our own foe

And light one candle for those who are suffering

Pain we learned so long ago

Light one candle for all we believe in

That anger not tear us apart

And light one candle to find us together

With peace as the song in our hearts

Don't let the light go out!

It's lasted for so many years!

Don't let the light go out!

Let it shine through our love and our tears.

What is the memory that's valued so highly

That we keep it alive in that flame?

What's the commitment to those who have died

That we cry out they've not died in vain?

We have come this far always believing

That justice would somehow prevail

This is the burden, this is the promise

This is why we will not fail!

Don't let the light go out!

It's lasted for so many years!

Don't let the light go out!

Let it shine through our love and our tears!

Don't let the light go out!

Don't let the light go out!

Don't let the light go out!

Let that message ring out loud and clear, during the Festival of Lights, and beyond:  

DON'T LET THE LIGHT GO OUT!

HAPPY HANUKKAH!

The Festival of Lights

We all know that Hanukkah is known as the Festival of Lights, so let's enjoy the prayer over the lighting of the Hanukkah candles, as sung by none other than Carole King:

And what better to follow that up with than Judy Tellerman's tune, "We Keep The Flame":

Given Judaism's long history of Talmudic scholarship, it should come as no surprise that the idea of a "Festival of Lights" may become subject to a bit of interpretation.  L'Chaim!

And what could be more in keeping with the spirit of the holiday than this song by Peter Himmelman and David Broza, Light Up the World:

And did you know that the world's largest Chanukah Menorah, that is to say, Chanukiah, is located only a few miles away from our congregation in Leonia?  The design was inspired by a hand drawing from Maimonides of the orginal Menorah in the Beit Hamikdosh  or Holy Temple in Jerusalem.  These videos are from 2008:

And how do they light it, you well may ask. Well, here's some amateur footage from just a few days ago, explaining its origins through the Lubavitcher Hasidic sect (views expressed by the Rebbe are not those of our own Reform congregation or movement, but it's always interesting to listen):

And here's one more quick look at a closer angle:

So let your light shine, let it shine on and on, on this festival of lights!  Happy Hanukkah!

The Festival of Latkes

Well, okay, Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights, sure, but the candles we light symbolize and substitute for the oil that was burned in the Temple, which was a special type of sacred, purified and sanctified olive oil, the same olive oil we use to cook various foods, including potato pancakes, otherwise known as latkes.

And here's a little tidbit from the Wikipedia entry on Potato pancake:

The word leviva, the Hebrew name for latke, has its origins in the Book of Samuel's description of the story of Amnon and Tamar. Some interpreters have noted that the homonym levav means "heart," and the verbal form of l-v-v occurs in the Song of Songs as well.


Latkes need not necessarily be made from potatoes. Prior to the introduction of the potato to the Old World, latkes were, and in some places still are, made from a variety of other vegetables, cheeses, legumes, or starches, depending on the available local ingredients and foodways of the various places where Jews lived.

And  maybe you've got an old family recipe for making latkes, but maybe not, maybe you'd like some help, or are looking for new ideas, or just want to compare.  So here, courtesy of the Union for Reform Judaism, is a two-part video demonstration on how to make potato pancakes, by Tina Wasserman, author of the acclaimed Jewish cookbook Entree to Judaism:

And maybe you'd like some nice music to accompany you while you're cooking and/or eating your latkes, so here is a recording of the late Debbie Friendman performing her famous "Latke Song" live at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston in 2001:

And here are the lyrics for you to read:

CHORUS:
I am a latke, I'm a latke
And I am waiting for Chanukah to come
I am a latke, I'm a latke
And I am waiting for Chanukah to come


I am so mixed up that I cannot tell you,
I'm sitting in this blender turning brown.
I've made friends with the onions and the flour,
And the cook is scouting oil in the town.
I sit here wondering what will come of me,
I can't be eaten looking as I do.
I need someone to take me out and cook me,
Or I'll really end up in a royal stew.


CHORUS


Every holiday has foods so special,
I'd like to have that same attention too,
I do not want to spend life in this blender,
Wondering what I'm supposed to do.
Matza and choroset are for Pesach,
Chopped liver and challah for Shabbat
Blintzes on Shavuot are delicious,
And gefilte fish no holiday's without.


CHORUS


It's important that I have an understanding
Of what it is that I'm supposed to do,
You see, there are many who are homeless,
With no jobs, no clothes and very little food.
It's so important that we all remember,
That while we have most of the things we need,
We must remember those who have so little,
We must help them, we must be the ones to feed.


CHORUS

And if you're a regular viewer of the ABC network's program, Grey's Anatomy, you probably have heard the song, "Latke Clan," performed by The LeeVees.  Here's a live version, performed at 2007 convention of the Reform Jewish youth organization NFTY  (North American Federation of Temple Youth):

And now for the lyrics:

Hanukkah, I know it's gonna be all right
Everyone's together tonight
Feeling good, it's Hanukkah


Two candles lit
The holiday's just begun
We're in for lots of fun
The time has come, it's Chanukah


The sun is setting
Get home as fast as you can
We'll put the oil into the pan
So come and join our Latke Clan
Cause we are latke fans
It's true


Your uncle's here
Flew in from out of town
It's nice to have him around
Even though he's weird
It's Chanukah


Santa's cool
But Hanukkah Harry's the man
So come and join our latke clan
We'll save you a plate
It's Hanukkah


The sun is setting
Get home as fast as you can
We'll put the oil into the pan
So come and join our latke clan


Sun is setting, get home as fast as you can
We'll put the oil into the pan
So come and join our latke clan
Cause we are latke fans


Your weird uncle is doing the can-can
Hanukkah Harry, he's the man
Everyone's here, it's Hanukkah

And in the category of holiday season toys that never quite made it, here's one you no doubt have never heard of, Latke Larry (we're not sure if he's any relation to Hanukkah Harry):

How about a nice story instead?  Courtesy of JewishTVNetwork.com, we can enjoy this charming, animated tale from the old country, A Magical Latke Story, narrated by none other than famous television celebrity Bob Saget:

And what's that you say?  You want to hear a different "Latke Song" now?  Sure, here's one:

And, for our coda, here's a nice amateur video featuring holiday images, set to the studio version of Debbie Friedman's "Latke Song":

And with that, we hope you've liked our virtual latkes.  Now go and enjoy some real latkes of your own!  B'tayavon!

And don't forget to join us this evening, at 7 PM, for the Leonia Community Menorah Lighting outside of our shul, followed by our Shabbat service, and a Hanukkah party of an oneg!  With, you guessed it, lots and lots of latkes!

Rock of Ages

Ma'Oz Tzur, or as it is translated into English, Rock of Ages, is the classic Hanukkah song, or perhaps more rightly, the Hanukkah hymn.  So in celebration of the Festival of Lights, let's sample some renditions of this timeless classic.

The SHIRAH Chorus performs Ma'oz Tzur, led by Matthew Lazar is a lovely choral rendition of the hymn in Hebrew and English (first verse only), recorded live in concert (with some background noise):

Stuart Marcus - Maoz Tzur is a traditional but more intimate, folk version that includes the Hebrew and two English verses:

Maoz Tzur by Craig Taubman is a mellow hip hop (or is it trance?) version of the Hebrew song:

Rock of Ages - מָעוֹז צוּרby offers a creative arrangement of the English verses, with acoustic and slide guitar, to give it an island feel, performed by Marc Cohn:

And to return to a beautiful, tradition choral version of the Hebrew, take a listen and look at PS22 Chorus "MAOZ TZUR" Chanukah Song, with a cute epilogue:

And finally, Chanukah Jewish Rock of Ages - Official Hanukkah Song (Video) is NOT Ma'Oz Tzur, but it is rock through the ages, with a Chanukah twist.  You may laugh, you may cringe, you may shake your head in disbelief or dance for joy, but you gotta appreciate their effort and creativity, and Chanukah spirit:

And one thing we can say for sure is, Hanukkah Rocks!

Keeping the Maccabeat!

Here's Miracle, the latest Chanukah music video from The Maccabeats:

And here are the lyrics, in case you were wondering:

Just livin' in the miracle, candles are my vehicle
Eight nights, gonna shine invincible
No longer be divisible, born through the struggle
Keep on moving through all this hustle
Head up, heads down through all of the bustle
New York City wanna flex your muscle
Look so down, look so puzzled
Huddle 'round your fire through all the rubble

Bound to stumble and fall but my strength comes not from man at all
Bound to stumble and fall but my strength comes not from man at all

[Chorus]
Do you believe in miracles
Am I hearing you? Am I seeing you?
Eight nights eight lights and these rites keep me right
Bless me to the highest heights with your miracle

Against all odds drive on till tomorrow
Wipe away your tears and your sorrow
Sunrise in the sky like an arrow
No need to worry, no need to cry
Light up your mind no longer be blind
Him who searches will find
Leave your problems behind you will shine like a fire in the sky
what's the reason we're alive -- the reason we're alive...
Bound to stumble and fall but my strength comes not from man at all
Bound to stumble and fall but my strength comes not from man at all

[Chorus]
Do you believe in miracles
Am I hearing you? Am I seeing you?
Eight nights eight lights and these rites keep me right
Bless me to the highest heights with your miracle

Eight is the number of infinity one more than what you know how to be
And this is the light of festivity when your broken heart yearns to be free

[Chorus]
Do you believe in miracles
Am I hearing you? Am I seeing you?
Eight nights eight lights and these rites keep me right
Bless me to the highest heights with your miracle

And do you remember the Maccabeats' 2010 Chanukah music video, Candlelight?  If you missed it, you can find it on this blog too, it was posted here last December, and here's the link:  Feeling the Maccabeats.  Go check it out, and enjoy!

And Happy Hanukkah!!!!