Rabbi Stiefel's Monthly Article

Rabbi Sharon Stiefel

Current December 2025

Hanukkah and Assimilation

Sometimes leaving out a single word in the title of a program makes all the difference. When I was working at the University of Pennsylvania Hillel, I offered to run a session for the Resident Advisors called “Hanukkah, not the Jewish Christmas.” Much to my chagrin, the flyer went up as “Hanukkah, the Jewish Christmas.” Not only did it send the wrong message to the RAs, it also caused a commotion among the Jewish students who saw it. I ended up writing a letter to them explaining what had happened.

We all know that Hanukkah is not the Jewish Christmas. Yet its proximity to Christmas has elevated Hanukkah far beyond its traditional importance in Judaism. Hanukkah is not a biblical holiday and does not include the work restrictions that mark our major festivals. It is, rather, a minor but meaningful holiday celebrating religious freedom. The only religious obligation is to light a Hanukkiah (Hanukkah menorah) for each of the eight nights, based on the story of a single day’s worth of sacred oil miraculously lasting eight days. Foods fried in oil and playing dreidel are later additions—potatoes (for latkes) didn’t even reach Europe until the 16th century. And the growing catalog of English Hanukkah songs, something of a counterbalance to Christmas carols, allows for a nod to our tradition in “holiday” concerts.

The irony, of course, is that Hanukkah began as a fight against assimilation. The Maccabees rose up in response to the Greek attempt to outlaw Jewish practices and desecrate the Temple. King Antiochus forbade traditions such as circumcision and Shabbat observance and set up altars to Greek gods in the Temple.

The struggle also involved deep conflict among Jews. Some Jews—those who embraced Hellenistic culture—participated in Greek life, including athletic competitions. The Maccabees, by contrast, were religious fundamentalists who at times used violence against the liberal Jews who embraced Greek culture.

Hanukkah’s original victory was a victory against assimilation; both the pressure imposed from outside and the internal acculturation happening within.

Ironically, today Hanukkah is the most beloved holiday among assimilated Jews—a celebration filled with gifts, special food, songs, decorations and a plethora of Hanukkah-themed merchandise. The Maccabean zealots would likely be aghast at contemporary North American Hanukkah traditions. In many ways, our modern celebration echoes the very cultural acculturation embraced by the Hellenistic Jews. Fortunately, the Maccabees are not here to wage a civil war against our festive practices. And ultimately, even if Hanukkah has been “Christmas-ified,” our celebration still marks a moment where we stand apart and in contrast to, the dominant Christian culture.

I look forward to celebrating with you at Mayim Rabim’s Hanukkah party on Sunday, December 21, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm.

Hag Urim Sameach! Happy Hanukkah!