Happy Hanukkah
Perfect Gift
Occasion!
Dear Readers,
The Festival of Lights starts on the evening of Sunday, December 14. . . not overlapping this year with Thanksgiving or Christmas. So, for 2025, at least, Hanukkah gets to be the center of attention for all eight nights!
Much symbolism is poured into Hanukkah, which commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabees defeated the Greek-Syrian army. The holiday also celebrates the miracle of the oil, which, according to the story, was only enough to light the Temple’s menorah for one day but somehow burned for eight. The holiday manages to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, religious freedom, and the perseverance of the Jewish people. That’s a lot to pack in.
From these events, Hanukkah celebrations feature latkes and Sufganiyot (donuts), dreidels and gelt, and presents and parties. And, of course, the lighting of candles each night, blessings, and songs.
When I was as a child, Hanukkah was observed. . . not so much celebrated. We lit the candles, recited the blessings, ate latkes one night, and maybe received some gifts. . . primarily gelt from the grandparents. My family had one menorah (we didn’t call it a hanukkiah then) and we took turns lighting it. The holiday was not a big deal.
Today, times are different, and like its holiday neighbor, Christmas, the commercialization of Hanukkah is practically everywhere. Most families now have multiple hanukkiah and everything from Hanukkah-themed platters for latkes to whimsical Hanukkah sweaters and pjs. The article on the next page about some local families who lean into the fun and modern merchandise is silly and uplifting.
Among the other articles in the section is one with tips on how, when frying latkes or donuts, to prevent the oily smell from taking over. (Page 23). My husband adheres to Tip #5. He uses an electric skillet on the porch. Smart guy.
There’s more, including a listing of Hanukkah events that are open to the community (page 22).
All of us at Jewish News wish you, your family, and friends, a Happy Hanukkah!
Chag Sameach,
Terri Denison Editor
Happy Hanukkah A bit of whimsy and kitsch to celebrate Hanukkah
A bit of whimsy and kitsch to celebrate Hanukkah
Move over Purim. . . Hanukkah is staking its own claim on fun as a Jewish holiday that embraces a bit of silliness and play.
From a banana shaped menorah – a Banorah – to Dinokkah the Hanukkah inflatable lighted dinosaur – which stands at six feet tall and comes with a15v blower motor inflation system – (both for purchase on moderntribe.com) Jews can delight in the celebration of these eight days and nights with a playfulness that few other Jewish holidays deem appropriate.
In addition to parties with latkes, games with dreidels and gelt, and of course the lighting of the candles, a plethora of products are now available to make Hanukkah more fun and at times, silly. And the merchandise is available for purchase at local Judaica shops, online, and in all sorts of department stores.
If kitschy pajamas, for example, are a preferred style for the Festival of Lights, kveller.com offers a range of Hanukkah-themed sleepwear from household names such as Anthropologie, Hanna Andersson, and Old Navy. The
entire family can even illuminate at night, wearing the Hanukkah Glow in the Dark pajamas from Children’s Place.
Irina Komarovsky surprises her son, Palmer, with Hanukkah-themed pjs each year, ever since he was a baby. “It’s usually on the first night that he gets them,” she says. On the second night, mother and son wear them during dinner with Komarovsky’s parents, Palmer’s babushka and dedushka.
Since moving to Virginia Beach, Rabbi Ari Oliszewski and his family have discovered fun holiday-themed merchandise for many celebrations.
Stephanie Peck
Rabbi Ari, Ben, Lia, and Pati Oliszewsky.
Happy Hanukkah
Happy Hanukkah
Bringing their own traditions from Argentina and Brazil, they’ve happily added this new custom to family life. Since they light the Hanukkiah each night, what could be better than wearing festive pajamas for the occasion? For eight nights straight, they say they wear their sleepwear with “joy and celebration.”
“Being able to live and embrace everything that Judaism offers us is truly a blessing that fills our hearts and souls,” says Rabbi Ari.
Amy Metzger “won” her banana hanukkiah at an annual Hanukkah “white elephant” gift exchange with family. “We gladly accepted the banana –yet the candles do not stand well without a little finagling!” she says. Metzger acquired her headband of dreidels from Ohef Sholom Temple’s Sisterhood’s Judaica Shop where she has been the buyer for more than nine years.
Save on what you need for a joyous holiday.
“Beginning from Rosh Chodesh Kislev, I love setting the tone for Hanukkah with whimsical, slightly wacky holiday items and traditions that create lasting memories for my family. Of course, we enjoy the classics—Hanukkah cookie decorating, donut decorating, and latkes—but every year I try to add something new and delightfully quirky to our repertoire,” says Liba Eisenberg, wife of Rabbi Shlomo Eisenberg of B’nai Israel Congregation.
One of their family favorites is a Hanukkah-themed Trouble game, a gift from grandparents in Rochester, New York. With children ages 4 - 11, the Eisenbergs play the board game on the long, dark winter afternoons, and it has become one of those signature ‘Hanukkah is coming!’ items in their home.
Rabbi Ari, Ben, Lia, and Pati Oliszewsky.
Palmer Washburn and Irina Komarovsky.
Amy Metzger.
Happy Hanukkah
The Eisenbergs also own oversized Hanukkah pop-it sensory toys that they fill with melted chocolate and turn into edible treats. Their kids top them with everything from pretzels and popcorn to sprinkles, berries, marshmallows, even pickles and chips— whatever is in the pantry. “It’s hilarious and delicious!” After hardening, the chocolate treats pop out and are enjoyed throughout Hanukkah.
One year, Eisenberg and her family made a menorah out of Fruit Loops and Mike & Ikes. Last year, in honor of the holiday of light, she surprised the family with a laser tag set from Amazon, and they spent one night of Hanukkah playing laser tag outside in the dark. “It was just as fun for the adults as the kids!
“These playful and unexpected items have turned into incredible experiences and memories we will cherish forever,” says Eisenberg. If the Hanukkah bin at home is lacking whimsical decorations, Target can supply endless kitsch. Kveller.com has again assembled a list of tchotchkes that will be the envy of every home on the block. Not to be outdone by Christmas celebrants, the Hallmark six-pair holiday earring set should be a conversation starter in line at Harris Teeter. Even the dog can get in on the Hanukkah action with a brushed fleece dog bandana. Tzvi, Esther, Binyamin, Aaron, and Zehava Eisenberg.
Happy Hanukkah
Hanukkah in Tidewater
Tidewater’s Jewish community offers plenty of waysto observe and celebrate Hanukkah in 2025. In fact, opportunities for children, teens, young adults, older adults, and families to celebrate throughout the eight nights abound in Tidewater. Get a hanukkiah ready, along with the 44 candles to illuminate this holiday of lights.
Brith Sholom
Hanukkah Brunch
Experience the warmth of Hanukkah with a brunch event full of food, piano music, and celebration.
Sunday, December 14
10 am – 3 pm
Contact LeeAnn Mallory, brith.sholom1@gmail.com.
Chabad Lubavitch of Tidewater
C Teen Latke Wars
Sunday, December 7
5 – 7 pm
$10
RSVP: chabadoftidewater.com/cteenrsvp
Chanukah Extravaganza - Community
GIANT Menorah Lighting
Sunday, December 14
4:30 – 6 pm
Mt. Trashmore
Contact Rashi Brashevitzky, rashibrashi@me.com.
Grand Menorah Car Parade
Tuesday, December 16
5:30-6:30 pm
Congregation Beth El
First Night of Hanukkah Family Celebration
Enjoy a festive dinner including latkes and sufganiyot, with Hannukah related activities for children.
Sunday, December 14
5 – 7 pm
$8/adult, $5/child, $20/family
RSVP: Ada@bethelnorfolk.com
Ohef Sholom Temple
Wiggles & Giggles Chanukah Celebration
A playful Hanukkah celebration just for the littlest learners (ages 0–4) and their grown-ups. Enjoy music, movement, story time, sensory play, and simple Hanukkah crafts designed for curious hands and wiggly bodies. A perfect way to introduce the joy of the holiday through song, light, and fun community time.
Sunday, December 7
10 am
RSVP: https://mailchi.mp/ohefsholom/ wigglesgiggles.
Chanukah Shabbat B’Yachad
Celebrate Hanukkah with a joyful Shabbat evening and a community dinner. Enjoy a buffet meal, live music, bingo, dreidel games, cookie decorating, and table trivia throughout the night. All ages are welcome. Bring family, friends, and a Hanukkiah for group candle lighting.
Friday, December 19
5:30 pm Preneg
6 pm Shabbat Service
6:45 pm Chanukah dinner and party $30/person ages 13+, $18/person ages 8-12, $10/person ages 3-7, free ages 0-2
RSVP: https://mailchi.mp/ohefsholom/ shabbatbyachad
Happy Hanukkah
5 ways to get the latke-frying smell out of your house
This article first appeared on The Nosher. Shannon Sarna
Everyone loves eating latkes; some people don’t even mind frying the latkes; but almost everyone loathes that post-frying, oil-laden smell that permeates the house after the frying fest of Hanukkah. Here are five ways to help get the smell out.
1. Vinegar
Vinegar is like a miracle drug, er, ingredient. Use it to make a salad dressing, clean the oven, poach an egg, and help remove the smell of fried latkes, too. Leave a bowl of vinegar on the counter while frying to help prevent the smell of oil taking over the kitchen. Or boil a pot of water with 1 cup of vinegar after frying. Or even take it a step further by adding favorite scents such as orange peel, cinnamon sticks, rosemary sprigs, etc.
2. Get Some Air
Of course, December in many parts of the world may not be ideal for leaving the windows open for long periods of time. But if windows are open just a little before getting
started on frying, and the kitchen fan is on, it should lessen the smell of fried oil.
3. Isolate the Frying
Close the doors to the kitchen to isolate the frying space so that the oil smell doesn’t travel through the entire house. And make sure to close doors to other rooms, too, so that the smell of fried latkes and donuts doesn’t creep into clothes and closets. Unless, of course, eau de fried potato is a preferred scent.
4. Light Some Candles
Find that scented candle gift from last Hanukkah and light it up. An essential oil diffuser or incense will also work. Open the windows, light some candles, and even try some Febreeze on couches or carpet to help neutralize the odor.
5. Get Outside! Literally.
OK, this tip is less about frying indoors, and more just to take the frying outside. Is there a burner on the grill? If so, just take the pan outside and fry those latkes without
fear of that oily smell. Don’t have a grill (or a burner on the grill)? Find an electric skillet, plug it in outside, and fry away.
NORFOLK: THE PALACE SHOPS VIRGINIA BEACH: HILLTOP EAST
Happy Hanukkah
Hallmark’s 2025 Hanukkah Movie Is Oy(TotheWorld)
Though we hate the pun, we’re willing to give this interfaith enemies-to-lovers romance a chance.
Lior Zaltzman
In the past three years, it seemed like the Hallmark Channel had gotten on board with the Hanukkah program, giving us some quality, adorable, and wonderfully predictable Jewish romances.
In 2022, we got a romance about rivaling Jewish delis inspired by a Jewish family and starring Yael Grobglas ( Jane the Virgin) and musical theater icon Jeremy Jordan. In 2023, there was the best Hanukkah time loop movie we’ve ever seen, starring the oh-so-dreamy Bryan Greenberg (The Mindy Project, How to Make It In America). Last year, a movie that threatened to be just another Jewish girl
with Christmas envy offered surprisingly warm Jewish representation, and the unlikely star of a bar with a Hanukkah pop-up was Nickelodeon’s Marc Summers.
This year, though, their offering has me going oy. Or, more exactly, Oy to the World! Because, yes, that’s the title of the film. It premieres on Dec. 14, the first evening of Hanukkah, and stars Brooke D’Orsay and Jake Epstein. The title may be my least favorite oft-embroideredon-pillows “Hanukkah” pun of all time (because, let’s be real, it’s a Christmas pun) but this movie is an interfaith romance about a church and a synagogue sharing space, so perhaps the title does make sense.
HANUKKAH
May you be filled with peace and happiness
And while I do just want to give into the urge to kvetch about this movie (I mean, they put “oy” in the title! It’s like they’re asking us to complain!!), I will say, I’m not angry about the premise here.
choirs. And while I love an interfaith romance, I’m a bit sad that this seems to be Hallmark’s only Hanukkah film of the year, and we won’t get another lovely film about Jewish love.
It’s an enemies-to-lovers story, a classic trope that is just so supremely enjoyable when done well. D’Orsay plays Nikki Roberts, the youth choir director of St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church, while Epstein plays Jake Cohen (not that Jake Cohen), the substitute choir director of the synagogue across the street, Temple Beth Am. The two are former high school rivals, but when a water line breaks at the temple around Hanukkah time, St. Joseph’s opens its doors for an interfaith Hanukkah and Christmas Eve service (Hanukkah, in this film, falls on the same time as Christmas Eve, a rare occasion). And so, Nikki and Jake must collaborate on a joint music program.
And yet, I am genuinely excited for the chance for a Hallmark movie to finally feature some good Hanukkah songs. I wonder if they’ll go for classics like Sevivon Sov Sov Sov, Maoz Tzur (Rock of Ages), Hanukkah O Hanukkah and I Have a Little Dreidel or branch out with some Ladino Ocho Kandelikas, or Matishyahu’s Miracle. (I would pay good money to have a Hallmark movie feature Adam Sandler’s The Chanukah Song, but I’m not sure if Hallmark would pay money for those rights!)
As the logline reads: “To lead a successful fundraising effort for the temple, Nikki and Jake have to put aside their differences and learn how to work together. In doing so, they discover teamwork can move mountains and open hearts, including their own. On their big night, Nikki and Jake find a way to unite people through the power of song and prove that coming together is the best way for everyone to celebrate the holiday season.”
It’s just so cheesy — and I love it.
I will say, once again in the spirit of oy, that Hanukkah isn’t usually as big a deal at synagogues as Christmas is in churches, and synagogue youth choirs are not quite as ubiquitous as church
Like all Hallmark films, the movie was filmed in Canada and even shot some scenes at Okanagan Jewish Community Centre/Beth Shalom Synagogue in Kelowna, BC with extras from the local Jewish community. Newly released stills from the movie feature some interfaith Hanukkah candle lighting with what appears to be a very good-looking salt-andpepper-bearded rabbi (we are in the Hot Rabbi Golden Age, after all).
So yes, even if I am apprehensive, I am also hopeful that this movie will bring more joy than oy — is that too corny, or just corny enough for a Hallmark movie?
Oy to the World premieres on the Hallmark Channel on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 8 pm ET.
Lior Zaltzman is the deputy managing editor of Kveller, where this article first appeared.
LIGHT PEACE LOVE