Walking down Church Street, I get overwhelmed with the amount of decorations, lights, sales, and events relating to Christmas. There must be a large Jewish community somewhere that I don’t know about, enjoying the Hanukkah spirit. Scattered around Church Street there are flyers and signs advertising all the winter (more like Christmas) celebrations throughout Burlington, but I still couldn’t find one thing about Hanukkah.I know that Hanukkah is not one of the most significant holidays for Jews. In fact, it is not even mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures. In Israel, Hanukkah is not a legal holiday. Offices, shops and public transportation operate as usual. While many Jewish holidays are observed with solemn prayers in synagogues or at home, Hanukkah is much more public, festive, and carefree.
However, I would like to strongly point out that it is not the "Jewish Christmas," as it is sometimes characterized. The two holidays have very different origins, meanings and traditions. However, many American Jews have adapted some aspects of the Christmas celebration, including gift giving. Traditionally, only small amounts of money – Hanukkah gelt – is given to children in the family. But the exchange of gifts has become much more elaborate in some American families in an attempt to celebrate Christmas.
That just adds to my disappointment in Burlington! If it is such a joyous holiday celebrated most passionately by Americans, why couldn’t I find signs of The Festival of Light in Burlington? This is when I decided to Google search a synagogue in the area and discovered Ohavi Zedek Synagogue.
Ohavi Zedek is a modern synagogue that holds true to ancient Jewish traditions, but also participates in the changing Jewish world. This synagogue is the oldest and largest Jewish congregation and has a lot of history in Vermont. I was told this by one of the board members, and was very surprised that if this is true, how come I lived here for over a year and I just heard about it?
Nonetheless, this temple and its people were very welcoming to me and I enjoyed myself a lot during the service. A lot of people thought I must go to UVM because the temple has some ties to that school through their Hillel program. One UVM student who was at the synagogue told me that they were having a free latke day, a Hanukkah Shabbat lighting evening with a dinner, and a Hanukkah party the next evening.
I wondered why Champlain College doesn’t appear to mention Hanukkah, and if they do, there is no advertisement. I was told about their adult education program where they are expanding their children’s Hebrew School to an older group.
One of the members brought me down stairs and showed me around the rooms. There is where I found the hidden Hanukkah spirit that Burlington was lacking! Everything was bright and colorful, paper Hanukkah dreidels and menorahs hanging all over the halls and classroom -- it was amazing.
I asked if there are any events going on in Burlington to celebrate The Festival of Lights and was disappointed. Nothing really happens in down town Burlington to celebrate Hanukkah and only one evening at the Ohavi Zedek Synagogue.
While I was there I talked to a few members about how to get word out to the community and share some of their Hanukkah spirit. I never would have found it if I didn’t spend some time searching online. This time of year is full of life and celebration and unfortunately a lot of it is being held in the walls of Ohavia Zedek Synagogue, but once you get in, it is an amazing celebration.
~Laura Kingston
Nonetheless, this temple and its people were very welcoming to me and I enjoyed myself a lot during the service. A lot of people thought I must go to UVM because the temple has some ties to that school through their Hillel program. One UVM student who was at the synagogue told me that they were having a free latke day, a Hanukkah Shabbat lighting evening with a dinner, and a Hanukkah party the next evening.
I wondered why Champlain College doesn’t appear to mention Hanukkah, and if they do, there is no advertisement. I was told about their adult education program where they are expanding their children’s Hebrew School to an older group.
One of the members brought me down stairs and showed me around the rooms. There is where I found the hidden Hanukkah spirit that Burlington was lacking! Everything was bright and colorful, paper Hanukkah dreidels and menorahs hanging all over the halls and classroom -- it was amazing.
I asked if there are any events going on in Burlington to celebrate The Festival of Lights and was disappointed. Nothing really happens in down town Burlington to celebrate Hanukkah and only one evening at the Ohavi Zedek Synagogue.
While I was there I talked to a few members about how to get word out to the community and share some of their Hanukkah spirit. I never would have found it if I didn’t spend some time searching online. This time of year is full of life and celebration and unfortunately a lot of it is being held in the walls of Ohavia Zedek Synagogue, but once you get in, it is an amazing celebration.
~Laura Kingston
