by Elli Smerling, Reference Services Research Intern, Center for Jewish History Official Jewish law requires 10 to be in attendance for communal prayer. Unofficial Jewish law requires that if 10 people are in a room, there must be food. Every Jewish gathering, celebration or holiday revolves around food. You may ask: What about fast days? Well, they’re about food as well. Fact: Not eating food…
by Aliza Schulman, Reference Services Research Intern, Center for Jewish History This year, the first day of Hanukkah falls on Thanksgiving, creating what has become known as Thanksgivukkah. The Internet it abuzz with shirts, hats and recipes celebrating this rare event. But just how rare is it? When was the last time it occurred, and when will it happen again? This post breaks down…
by David P. Rosenberg, Senior Reference Librarian – Collections, Center for Jewish History Above image: Hanukkah services for soldiers, circa 1917. National Jewish Welfare Board Records. c/o American Jewish Historical Society. Quizzes Prakim, a 1953 monthly program manual for synagogue activity, was published by the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. Before Hanukkah questions, it has a passage on “The observance and Meaning…
Page from Chanukkah-Buechlein/Sippur Hanukkah. Creators: Hannenmann, Wallenberg, and Horowitz. Berlin, Germany. Approximately 1930. YU Museum Collections. For more, visit the Center for Jewish History’s Flickr photostream.Click here to connect with the Center for Jewish History on Facebook.
Hanukkah lamp. Israel, 1960. Metalwork with copper, silver, brass. YU Museum. For more, visit the Center for Jewish History’s Flickr photostream.Click here to connect with the Center for Jewish History on Facebook.
Happy Chanukah outdoor display. National Jewish Welfare Board Records. American Jewish Historical Society. For more, visit the Center for Jewish History’s Flickr photostream.Click here to connect with the Center for Jewish History on Facebook.
Hanukkah top. Janet Dash. New York, United States of America. 1993. YU Museum. For more, visit the Center for Jewish History’s Flickr photostream.Click here to connect with the Center for Jewish History on Facebook.
Hanukkah Lamp. Germany or Netherlands. 19th century. Brass. YU Museum. For more, visit the Center for Jewish History’s Flickr photostream.Click here to connect with the Center for Jewish History on Facebook.
Happy Chanukah. National Jewish Welfare Board Records. American Jewish Historical Society. For more, visit the Center for Jewish History’s Flickr photostream.Click here to connect with the Center for Jewish History on Facebook.
Hanukkah lamp/Shabbat candleholder. Probably Vienna, Austria. Approximately 1886-1922. Silver. YU Museum. For more, visit the Center for Jewish History’s Flickr photostream.Click here to connect with the Center for Jewish History on Facebook.
Hanukah party, 1952. Text on back of photograph – “Chanukah party held for Jewish servicemen from the Fleet and the Naval Base. Refreshments and Chanukah cheer provided by the Temple Beth El Sisterhood under auspices of the Armed Services Committee, Jewish Welfare Board. Chaplain Garson Goodman, United States Navy, Atlantic Fleet Jewish chaplain.” National Jewish Welfare Board Records. American Jewish Historical Society. For more,…