Holiday Cheers: Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Other Events
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THIS WEEK IS all about Christmas, which makes it difficult for those of us who celebrate other winter holidays that happen to fall during the same week. Happy Belated Solstice, everybody!
But Washington, WASP-y as it is, doesn't completely ignore non-Christmas holidays. Here are a few events you can step out for while you're not waiting for Santa Claus.
As South Park once told us, "It's hard to be a Jew on Christmas." But there are ways to ease the pain. The D.C. Matzo Ball, a Christmas Eve bash at Ultrabar, is ostensibly an event for Jewish singles. But you need be neither Jewish nor single to attend: just wear something fancy — seriously, they might turn you away at the door if you don't — and be ready to dance.
If you're more in the mood to just stand around listening to music, try "Jewmongous," Sean Altman's stand-up comedy routine/concert at Jammin' Java on Dec. 24. The genius behind Rockapella has become one of the poster boys of the Jewish hipster movement (which might have been invented by the New York Times' Style section, but we won't hold that against him), and he's got a Hebrew-themed evening with songs like "They Tried to Kill Us (We Survived; Let's Eat)"
For a more respectful (sort of) approach to the holiday, hit the "Chanukah Seder" at the 6th and I Historic Synagogue on Dec. 22. Think of it as "How to Hold a Seder: The Musical!" There will be food and people to talk to. This event is for those of us homesick for mom's gefilte fish. But hey, one of the benefits of eight crazy nights is that you can celebrate with a homey community event like this AND with a dance party later in the week.
Kwanzaa is the seven-day African heritage holiday that begins Dec. 26. Various community centers around D.C. will have celebrations that explain the principles of Kwanzaa, but we like the musical extravaganza hosted by Prince George's Publick Playhouse. Music, dancing, storytelling, candles: everything you want from a Kwanzaa bash.
The Anacostia Community Museum has various Kwanzaa-related activities spread over several days. On Saturday, Dec. 27, Baba-C will be telling the story of Kwanzaa. This is one for the kids. Monday morning, Dec. 29, will see a concert of traditional African instruments to celebrate the pan-African holiday, and on Wednesday, Dec. 31, you and your family can make Kwanzaa food and tschotkes.
» Ultrabar, 911 F St. NW; Thu., Dec. 24, 9 p.m., $30; 202-638-4663. (Metro Center)
» Jammin' Java, 227 Maple Avenue East, Vienna; Thu., Dec. 24, 7 p.m., $17 in advance, $20 at the door; 703-255-1566.
» Sixth and I Synagogue, 600 I St. NW; Mon., Dec. 22, 7 p.m., $20 in advance, $25 at the door; 202-408-3100. (Gallery Place)
» Prince George's Publick Playhouse, 5445 Landover Rd., Cheverly; Sat., Dec. 27, 8 p.m., $5-$10; 301-277-1710.
» Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Place SE; Sat., Dec. 27, 11 a.m., Mon., Dec. 29, 11 a.m., Wed., Dec. 31, 10 a.m., free; 202-633-4844. (Anacostia)
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Hanukkah, from the Hebrew word for "dedication" or "consecration", marks the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the forces of Antiochus IV and commemorates the "miracle of the container of oil."According to the Talmud, at the re-dedication following the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid Empire, there was only enough consecrated olive oil to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, which was the length of time it took to press, prepare and consecrate fresh olive oil.
An Islamic shrine, the Dome of the Rock, has stood on the site of the Temple since the late 7th Century AD, and the al-Aqsa Mosque, from roughly the same period, also stands on the Temple courtyard.
Maccabees had the the reason to celebrate Hannukka but how do the present day Jews celebrate Hannukka when the same temple is controlled by a Waqf (an Islamic trust).
Is not their job to sanctify the temple like Maccabees did and then celebrate Hannukka instead of competing with christians and christmas.
Note:
Although it’s a popular holiday for Jews, it is not their most sacred — in fact, the story isn’t even mentioned in the Torah.
Alex Lubet , the Hillel Board of Directors president and a music professor at the University, said Hanukkah doesn’t reflect the full depth of Judaism. Other more sacred holidays include Passover and Yom Kippur.
Laura Supkoff , a Jewish University graduate student, said it’s not a holiday that people would take off work to celebrate.
“It receives a lot more attention than it actually should, just because Christmas is at the same time,” she said.
By kohn , Posted December 22, 2008 9:51 AM