Why wait? kathryn scott's seasonal sale is on now. • Of Miracles And Maccabees kathryn scott Chanukah is less a religious festival than a commemoration of a wartime victory. LYNNE MEREDITH COHN Staff Writer n Israel this time of year, you wouldn't even know it was Christmas — except for one tin- sel-decorated Irish bar in Tel Aviv. But you also barely know it's Chanukah time, save for the soft, sweet sugfaniyot (jelly-filled donuts) lining the windows of Jerusalem's bakeries. Chanukah is a minor Jewish festival compared with Passover, Sukkot and Rosh Hashanah. Only in America where Christmas pervades malls, restaurants, homes and TV, has L chanukah become the time for Jews not to feel left out. Some families give presents on each night of the festival, while others have celebrations with chocolate gelt, latkes and dreidels. At this time of year, programs crop up about Jewish pride and the secret of Jewish survival, programs that will be held Dec. 20 and 21 at Machon L'Torah in Oak Park. fi Congregation Shir Tikvah in Troy donates hundreds of gifts to the needy, and Congregation Shaarey Zedek's men's club links up with the Salvation Army to prepare meals for thousands of hungry families. And on Christmas Day, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit coordinates a giant Volunteer Extrava- ganza, bringing Jews to various agencies crud homes that need the help. It has become custom that on Christmas day American Jews head for a Chinese restaurant and movie — the only places open on the Christian holi- day. In Ann Arbor, however, Rabbi Robert Levy of Temple Beth Emeth is hosting an annual latke, lasagna and bingo dinner for the congregation. Chanukah is celebrated for eight 'clays, starting on 25 Kislev (sundown Tuesday, Dec. 23 this year), to com- memorate the victory of the tradition- alist Maccabees over the Hellenistic Syrians. After a three-year struggle, the Maccabees, under Judah Maccabee, conquered Jerusalem and rebuilt the altar in the Temple that had been fine apparel for women 148 Pierce Street,.Birmingham • defiled. They produced new vessels for the Temple service, including a cande- labrum, and according to talmudic tra- dition, a small quantity of consecrated oil lasted for eight days. But, according to the Temple Beth El monthly bulletin, the books of the Maccabees do not mention the legend of the oil; the eight-day holiday may originally have been meant to parallel the eight days of Sukkot which the Maccabees could not observe while they were hiding in the Judean hills. Rabbi Dannel Schwartz of Temple Shir Shalom says the name Maccabee comes from the first letters of the Hebrew prayer: "Mi Kamocha Ba-alem Adonai" (Who is like unto Thee, 0 Lord), inscribed on the Maccabean bat- tle banner. Called the Festival of Lights, Jews light a Chanukah menorah, or Hanukkiah, adding one candle for each night of the festival. "Chanukah raises a lot of issues in terms of how much do you assimilate, how much you don't," says Rabbi Aaron Bergman of Beth Abraham Hil- lel Moses. "We celebrate what the Maccabees accomplished in terms of their victory, fighting not only for religious freedom but for Jews to take their religion seri- ously," says the Conservative rabbi. "In one way, it's a great holiday because it breaks up the winter. In Michigan you really need that." There are three mitzvot that require Jews to publicize miracles — the reading of Megillat Esther on Purim, the Passover seder and the Chanukah menorah, says Rabbi Steven Weil of Young Israel-Oak Park. On Chanukah, Jews are supposed to place a lit menorah in a window fac- ing the street so gentile passers-by will know of the miracle. "The Greeks did not physically want to annihilate the Jewish people," but to rid them of their spiritual beliefs, Weil says. "The story of Chanukah is a state- ment that Judaism, its intellectual and moral value system, is something that's worth dying for and something worth publicizing." ❑ 248-642-3064 Score Hours: Monday — Saturday 9:30 - 6:00, Thursday 'cil 8:00, Sunday 12:00 — 5:00 1997 HOLIDAY GIFT COLLECTION "THE WONDER OF FAMILY" bye4e6L6L 80 Years of Love and Compassion Third in "Our Wondrous Series" - Porcelain Collector Plate $ 55 HOLIDAY HOURS: Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday 12-5 p.m. CARDS & COLLECTIBLES 37518 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills • (248) 489-4060 * •Toys That P14 • a Twinkle in Their Eyes! 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