Hanukkah Memories

By Celeste Barber

Latkes, Dreidels, and Presents

This year, Hanukkah begins December 25, which for Christians is, of course, Christmas Day. For others, it is the first of the eight nights of Hanukkah, the Jewish Celebration of Light, ending Thursday, January 2.

When my son was a 3rd grader at Monte Vista School, his teacher asked if Eric and I would present a “show and tell” about Hanukkah. She knew that he was half-Jewish on his father’s side. We were happy to do so. My memory of the program we’d prepared was a classroom of happy kids. They enjoyed hearing about latkes and dreidels. Presents every night for eight nights was certainly a big hit, too. And we brought along our menorah to explain the significance of the nine candles.

I hadn’t thought about that day in many years. Not until October 7^th of last year. I reflected that such a program would be unthinkable in today’s public schools. Assuredly, someone would be offended or feel threatened to hear about this beautiful Jewish holiday. Doubtful, too, that a teacher would suggest such a program for her class. I imagine an apology from the school board and sensitivity training would be the order of the day.

And since that school day in 1985, has our world become a more tolerant place? Has anti-Semitism abated – ever?

A Name Change

Two years later, our family was enroute to East Berlin. My husband had been awarded a Fulbright teaching award under the USIA, Glasnost then in play under Mikhail Gorbachev’s political reforms. Prior to leaving the States, I received permission to change my then ten-year-old son’s surname on his passport from his given name, “Friedman,” to his stepfather’s name, “McConnell.” In 1987-88, the Palestinian Intifada movement was receiving international attention. There were ongoing accounts of airliner hijackings by Arab terrorists. Jewish passengers were segregated out from the others. Both the State Department and my former husband supported me.

(In late December 1988, a terrorist blew up Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.)

What kind of world is it where the mother of a child with Jewish blood must fear for his safety – simply because of his name? How is that defensible, ever?

Protests Were Peaceful Then

Ten years ago, I attended an academic conference hosted at UC, Irvine. During the lunch break, I decided to take a walk around the university, starting at the central promenade. Noontime, many students were about. I noticed, also, that campus groups were tabling along the main walkway outside the food courts and bookstore. But one table caught my attention: Hillel.

Hillel chapters have served Jewish college students for decades, just as the Newman Club has done for Roman Catholics. Those two organizations are a part of campus life at American public universities.

A group of Middle Eastern students were protesting Israel. The demonstrators had encircled the Hillel table. I observed for a while and then walked over to the Jewish students. I asked if they were okay, and if they felt safe. No security was present. I was assured that they were fine, all was good. A few minutes later, one of the Hillel students, a young woman, walked over to the protesters and talked with them, cordially. The scene was stunning to witness.

“Free Palestine!” Really?

Reflecting back, the Hillel scenario could be a metaphor for Middle Eastern politics since Israeli statehood in 1948. Tiny Israel surrounded by hostile Arab nations. Israelis repeatedly attempting to live peacefully with their neighbors, countries that have sought Israel’s annihilation in both word and action and continuing to this day. The hatred has come to our shores. Protesters in our great cities chant “From the river to the sea” and openly celebrate Hitler’s genocide of six million.

No city is exempt. College students across the nation – particularly in some of the most prestigious and elite Ivy League universities – protested in solidarity with Palestinians against the “occupation.” On Courthouse steps, groups denounced Israeli “apartheid.” Scrawled in yellow crayon, a sidewalk in Santa Barbara announced: “Free Palestine,” attributed to the organization, Eye on Palestine.

For the next eight nights after Christmas Day, let’s commit to a true celebration of light in this time of darkness for Israel and our Jewish neighbors. Light your own candles in your home’s front window. CVS currently carries a good stock of menorahs, including LED.

Indifference was the kindling that fueled Hitler’s Final Solution. Our world cannot afford such indifference ever again. Be a spark for righteousness and light up our world.

Happy Hanukkah!