Chanukah? Hanukkah? Whatever. Let’s Eat!

Whether you spell it Hanukkah, Chanukah, or Chattanooga, the Jewish Festival of Lights starts next Friday at sundown. As is the case with many Jewish holidays, this one can be stripped down to these basics: Somebody tried to kill us. We survived. Let’s eat!

Specifically, Chanukah commemorates a time 2,300 years ago when the Syrians tried to destroy the Temple in Judea and force the Jewish people to worship Greek gods. Under the leadership of Judah Maccabee, the Jews resisted and reclaimed the temple, which had suffered much damage. Every Jewish house of worship has a Ner Tamid, or everlasting light, which is to be on at all times as a symbol of God’s eternal presence. In this case, the Ner Tamid was an oil lamp and the Jews discovered there was only enough oil to last for one day. Miraculously, the little jug of oil lasted for eight days!! This miracle of the oil is why Chanukah lasts for 8 days and why foods cooked in oil are eaten to celebrate it. (All Violet can say is Thank God it wasn’t a miracle of, say, tomatoes.)

Ok, enough history. Time to shop!

Chanukah?  Hanukkah?  Whatever.  Let’s Eat!

Chanukah cards have gotten more popular over the years. As a result, they’ve also gotten more fun! One of my favorites comes from Foxy and Winston and features a squirrel lighting a menorah fashioned from twigs and acorns.

And of course, Chanukah wouldn’t be complete without a flying potato! The inside reads: The flying potato wishes you lots of hot latkes. From: Cards By Butterfly.

If you prefer the more traditional route, Tamar Hammer’s shop is the place for you. Her cards are consistently colorful and fresh. This one even features a potato latke recipe on the back!

For a baby’s first Chanukah, Addie Kakes Kreations will personalize a onesie with a name and one of several Chanukah appliques.

Whether you like applesauce or sour cream on your latkes (Violet piles on both) a bib is always a good idea! Peanut and Beans has got you covered. (Get it? Got you COVERED? Cause it’s a bib? And it covers your clothes?)

You can’t celebrate Chanukah without a menorah and Etsy has them to suit every style. Loving the look of this stained glass Star of David menorah from JiST Designs.

Check out the lovely organic lines and the beautiful patina of this bronze one crafted by ArtNHarmony58. The little cups mean that you can use it either with candles or oil.

Violet would keep this next menorah on display all year long! The people are handmade out of bolts, nuts, washers and ball bearings welded together. From: Art on the Avenue

Let’s finish off with a little jewelry! Homestudio’s scrabble tile pendant exudes the warmth and brightness of the holiday.

Studio 618 accented a sterling silver dreidel with a red zirconia teardrop. Simple, classic, beautiful!

Happy Stalking!
Curator V.