[Nicks_Nose]

Happy Holidays to any users of the Jewish faith. Celebrations for all!!

Happy Holidays!

[Maven]

Enjoy the days of Hanukkah! Isn't there a special bread you make during Hanukkah (or is it another holiday, or maybe just anytime?) that looks braided and is sweet, or lightly sweet? I've wanted to try that.

[roads]

I love Hanukkah! So rich with tradition instilling faith. I'm not Jewish, but I gain so much from this 8-days ceremony steeped in history. It begins officially at,sundown Saturday.
The lucious bread is Callah, and here's a link http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Challah-I/

[Nicks_Nose]

Oooooo Thanks, Roadie. I have to try that recipe! I have been seeking motivation to get back to the breads. This will do it. Yum.

[eskielover]

Isn't there a special bread you make during Hanukkah (or is it another holiday, or maybe just anytime?) that looks braided and is sweet, or lightly sweet?

The bread is actually called Challah (pronounced HA-lah). The braided bread is eaten on Sabbath & Jewish holidays. On Rosh HaShanah, the bread is made into a circular shape representing the cycle of a new year.

Not Jewish either, but Jewish is out of what Christianity was born so to me, all the Jewish feasts/celebrations & history are a very important part of where my beliefs have come from.....for many of us, that makes it so important to understand & incorporate into our celebrations just as the 1st century Christians did.

The focus of Hanukkah (Feast of Lights/Feast of Dedication) is a reminder of all those who courageously remain faithful to God in the face of persecution. Called the Feast of Lights because of a legendary miraculous provision of oil for the eternal light in the temple. After cleansing the temple there was only enough oil for the eternal flame to burn for one day........but through God's great miracle, the flame burned for the 8 days necessary to purify the new oil.

The historical events behind the Jewish feasts are so very meaningful & interesting & important for many of us who feel the history applies to us also even though we aren't Jewish descendents other than through what we believe.

[Timgt5]

Happy Hanukkah! May all of you have 8 wonderful days and nights, of reflection and celebration! Traditions are often a thing to cherish. It is good sometimes to belong to something. I wish sometimes I could, but me and "belonging" never really work out.

The best to you all!

Thanks for wishing us a Happy Hanukkah! Since I'm separated from my family, I really don't celebrate it. When I was younger, my family lights 1 candle every night on the Menorah for 8 days whoever doesn't know that. I still don't know the full meaning of it. I know Christmas dominates alot, but it's nice to see this thread.

[Nicks_Nose]

I am so grateful for the information everybody is putting in. I am not Jewish but always love to learn of the various practices and respect the other cultural days besides our standard over promoted ones

I have written to some of my Jewish friends to wish them a Happy Hanukkah. For those interested in the true history of the holiday, here it is: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/08/op...me&ref=general

I am not so sure that Challah bread is the choice for celebrating this holiday. For those unfamiliar with Challah - it is a yellow bread that is slightly sweet. Because the holiday involves the miraculous burning of an oil candle for 8 days, the tradition food for the holiday involves foods cooked in oil, e.g., potato latkes.

FYI, my Jewish friends do not consider Hanukkah to be one of the major Jewish holidays. However, I am sure that they celebrate it.