jewish life education centre

A light hearted narrative of the Chanukah story using rewritten lyrics to some familiar show tunes.

An article exploring the mixed messages of particularism and universalism within the Chanukah story and wider Jewish thought.

Chanukah commemorates the victory of Jewish sovereignty against the Greek/Hellenistic empire. The Greeks, and later the Romans, brought great advances in science, technology and philosophy that have profoundly shaped Western culture – and influenced Jewish practice and tradition – for millennia. They also brought religious persecution, strict political hierarchy and a foreign elite. In the 21st century, we are also witness to great advances – medical, technological and economic – that reach to the corners of the world. With these advances, however, come the cultural norms and ideologies of the West. Chanukah offers an opportunity to explore the conflicts and tensions that accompany globalization and development. This piece is taken from the American World Jewish Service 'From the sources: texts on social justice' series.

A quiz using the popular show's style with questions related to the festival.

Rabbi David Ellenson's reflections on a trip to El Salvador during Chanukah, and the messages of hope that all peoples can draw from our festival of lights. This piece is taken from the American Jewish World Service Chag V'Chessed series.

An activity exploring some different types of strength presnted in the Chanukah story. This activity uses dynamic methods to reflect on the different models of strength in Jewish tradition – moral, spiritual, physical,and intellectual.

A simple document providingthe background to the festival and some of the customs and practices involved with it.

An article exploring the historical context of Chanukah, with different types of Jews and Judaisms vying for power, and the link Chanukah has with the victory of a religion for all men and women, free from oppression and living in a society of equal opportunity, a Judaism still stands proud as a relevant and moral way of life for the 21st century.