I’ve been away from home for a few days this week. Unfortunately, this means I’m away from my family during Hanukkah.
Last week I read a great story to my boys–”Hanukkah at Valley Forge” by Stephen Krensky. It gave a different angle to the Hanukkah story of the Maccabees. It’s a fictionalized book that is supposedly based on what is a historical anecdote found in someone’s Diary.
The book is about George Washington and his army at Valley Forge–when Washington encounters one of his soldier lighting a menorah. Washington asks the soldier what he’s doing and learns about the powerful story of Hanukkah and the universal fight for freedom.
Upon learning the story of the Maccabees, Washington remarks “the fight for liberty is an ancient one. And no one likes squirming under the thumb of a distant king.”
I highly recommend this book–but thats not why I’m writing this blog. I’ve been away from home in the past during Hanukkah–and always felt something was missing. The book inspired me to do something I didn’t really do in the past.
You guessed it! I brought a little menorah with me. In my hotel room every night, I quietly lit my menorah, said the blessings, and drank a bit of wine with it. It was, for me, inspirational and yet peaceful.
I took a picture of the menorah.
I shared the picture with my boys when I connected with them via videophone. They were excited to see that I celebrated Hanukkah even when I was away from home and alone.
What did you do for Hanukkah. What are some of the unusual places or settings you’ve celebrated Hanukkah?
May Hanukkah bring you peace and blessings!
December 17, 2009 at 7:22 pm |
Traditions are lovely. I’m glad you were able to bring the spirit of Hanukkah with you in your hotel room away from home.
Even though our kids have grown, we still took part in our family traditions. My son has some friends in grad school who are away from home so we had them over to share in a family celebration. We lit the candles, said the prayers, ate latkes, and had a spirited conversation about the meaning of the holiday for each of us. And big thanks went to the group of twenty-something-ers who indulged us by playing a game of dreidel. Never too old….
For those of you with young children, let me share a lovely children’s book which was a family favorite of ours. The Chanukah Guest is a delightful story of how an elderly grandmother thinks the Rabbi is visiting her but in fact it’s a different visitor entirely. It’s a very sweet and heart-warming tale.
Happy Holidays to all…-
Suzy
January 6, 2010 at 4:20 am |
Lovely post. I remember once walking a picket line with striking supermarket workers on a cold Hanukkah night, feeling that it was a very appropriate way to celebrate the spirit of resistance and the light of solidarity.
I’m very glad that you found a meaningful way to mark the occasion while you were on the road.