Whats Up, Chanuka?

In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukkah' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukkah!' or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!
― Dave Barry

A year ago, during Chanuka, all our family who lives in Israel, gathered together to celebrate the holiday.  It was the first time we were ever able to do this.

Before the party, we set up a whatsapp group (we called it, surprisingly enough, 'Chanuka party') and, through the group, invited all the family, they all RSVP'ed,  got directions to the address, and asked where to park.
We still have the whatsapp group and never changed the name. Over the course of the past year, we have used it for various purposes: to forward invitations, to pass on information, to share pictures. Indeed, two days after the Chanuka party, I myself used the group to share a picture of the grandchild born that morning. He will be celebrating his first birthday this week.

Last year, people brought food: stuffed mushrooms, pizza, soup. This year, we have a google doc going with lists of what to bring.
We are so 2017. Finally.

Last year, we scarfed down delicious home-made donuts and resisted such extravagances as Royal Lindt sufganiyot stuffed with Lindt chocolate cream and garnished with cocoa-dusted almonds, a miniature cream puff, hazelnuts, and a chocolate shot. This year, we are going to have to resist Spongebob Squarepants sufganiyot.

It's a challenge. 

(but not as hard as it would seem, as I really don't feel like taking out a second mortgage on my house to buy donuts - but I digress.)

Last year, the kids played with dreidels, and we had balloons left over from elections.
Since then, we've had two and a half more elections, no government, and we've run out of balloons.  However, I'm sure that Lucy will still be a hit.

Lucy lighting candles

Last year, my sister and brother-in-law were visiting during Chanuka. They aren't here at the moment, but we will have a nephew coming in from the Old Country.
There will also be a few more plus-ones joining us to celebrate.
Last year, we had nine humans under the age of 6.5 at the party.
This year, we will have 12 humans under the age of 7.5.
(and Lucy, who is now 5.)

We've come a long way in a year.

Chanuka has been celebrated for over 2000 years and memorializes the triumph of the Jews over the Hellenists; the few over the many; the weak over the mighty.
In truth, we celebrate the continuation of the Jewish people as a nation, and our ability and strength  to celebrate, in defiance of the greatest attempts to remove us from the world's stage, whether by genocide or by assimilation.[1] 
The return of our People to our Land - despite the world's frequent displeasure - is the continuation of this miracle.
Our small (but growing!!!) family Chanuka parties are a testament to the ever-present, continuing miracle.
Celebrating the past, we are the future.
You are all welcome to join us!! (bring donuts) (and balloons).

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[1] In last week’s Torah reading, VaYishlach, Jacob, upon hearing that his brother Esau is coming with 400 men to meet him, and being ‘greatly afraid’, prays to God.  Deliver me, I pray Thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and smite me, the mother with the children. (Genesis, 32;12). Why does Jacob say both phrases, ‘from my brother’ and ‘from Esau’. After all, his brother is  Esau, and we know that there are no superfluous words in the Torah. Our sages explain that ‘from Esau’ refers to hatred toward Jacob and his sons (the people of Israel, i.e., today’s Jews) manifested in violence (pogroms, inquisitions, blood libels, holocausts, etc.), while ‘from my brother’ refers to assimilation; when Jews are enticed away from Judaism through ‘love’ to imitate and be influenced to the ways of others.