Hanukkah

One last Hanukkah gift from Hallmark: 'Round and Round' is a really fun romcom

12:13pm December 15, 2023

by Linda Holmes

If you find yourself in Hanukkah withdrawal, take Round and Round for a spin: This time-loop romance embraces the holiday in a way that feels complete and thoughtful.

Skiers participate in last year's "Santa Sunday" event at the Sunday River resort in Newry, Maine.

Unique ways Americans celebrate the holidays, from skiing Santas to Festivus feats

9:43am December 08, 2023

by Rachel Treisman

Here's how communities across the U.S. put their own spin on Christmas, Hanukkah and even Festivus celebrations — from Santas who ski and surf, to trees made of tumbleweed, sand and lobster traps.

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Gelt are chocolate coins traditionally given out during Hanukkah. NuRoots, the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles' young adult initiative, has baskets of gelt to hand out at its events.

Hanukkah celebrations inspire Jewish joy despite war and increasing antisemitism

5:34am December 08, 2023

by Jason DeRose

The war between Israel and Hamas, as well as a rise in antisemitism, has many Jews unsure how to celebrate Hanukkah this year. Some say they're focusing on hope and hospitality in dark times.

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff speaks during the Annual National Menorah Lighting at the White House on Dec. 7, 2023.

Emhoff says 3 college presidents showed a 'lack of moral clarity' on antisemitism

6:36pm December 07, 2023

by NPR Staff

Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Harris, is the highest-level official to criticize the presidents of Harvard, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania for their testimony this week.

The National Menorah, part of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, is silhouetted against the setting sun in Washington, D.C.

Hanukkah Lights 2023

12:09pm December 07, 2023

Hear some of our favorite stories about the festival of lights, plus a special Tiny Desk performance by The LeeVees.

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The LeeVees perform a Tiny Desk concert.

Music & Culture

The LeeVees: Tiny Desk Concert

11:14am December 07, 2023

by Bob Boilen

Bob Boilen's favorite Hanukkah tradition graces the Tiny Desk for fun-filled songs about latkes and gelt.

Scott Simon with his daughter, Elise, during the holidays.

Education

Opinion: School shows are a magical part of the holidays

8:39am November 25, 2023

by Scott Simon

NPR's Scott Simon talks about how much he enjoys watching school stage productions this time of year and why.

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The White House Menorah can be seen in Cross Hall and is part of this year's "We The People"-themed holiday display. The Bidens will add the menorah to the permanent White House collection at a Hanukkah reception Monday evening,

As the Bidens mark Hanukkah, the White House gets its own menorah for the first time

8:43pm December 19, 2022

by Rachel Treisman

The menorah is made out of wood that was removed from the building during a Truman-era renovation, and becomes the first Jewish artifact to be added to the White House archives.

At Congregation Beth Shalom in Pittsburgh, families across the Jewish community will gather at the annual "Latkepalooza" to mark their first Hanukkuh since the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in October.

A Grieving Pittsburgh Focuses On Community And Light In Hanukkah Celebrations

6:25am December 03, 2018

by Virginia Alvino Young

Jewish families are grappling with how to celebrate the first major Jewish holiday since 11 people were killed in October's shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue.

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The cover of a 1933 cookbook, Crisco Recipes For The Jewish Housewife, produced by Crisco's parent company Procter & Gamble, to promote the vegetable-based oil to the new wave of Jewish immigrants.

National

How A Corporation Convinced American Jews To Reach For Crisco

7:53am December 02, 2018

by Deena Prichep

On Hanukkah, many Jews fry potato pancakes called latkes in oil or maybe schmaltz. But a century ago, one company saw an opportunity to make the Jewish fat of choice truly American: Crisco.