From Lori Grumet & Rabbi Gerald Kane - Patron Board Members
Hanukkah, the Jewish winter celebration, often referred to as “The Festival of Lights “ begins at sundown on Wednesday, December 1st and continues through sunset on Thursday, December 9th.
The holiday commemorates the “miracle of oil” in the Temple in Jerusalem. After the Seleucids were driven from temple mount and the Jews needed to rededicate the temple they found that there was only enough oil to keep the menorah lit for one day - but miraculously it burned for eight days! The festival of Hanukkah is filled with wondrously rich customs, foods and music and you can enjoy them this December 1-9 with Public Television.
For the little ones, “Shalom Sesame” will explore the mystery of a missing Menorah on December 1st at 11 am. “Chanukah: the Missing Menorah” is a good way of introducing children of all faiths to the holiday and the meanings behind lighting the menorah for the nights of the festival.
For our older viewers there is also an opportunity to relish the music of Hanukkah on two separate occasions. December 5th at 7:30 am brings “Celebrate Hanukkah – Live in Concert.” You will hear many of your old favorite songs from the holiday season. My personal favorite – O, Hanukkah, O Hanukkah Come light the Menorah – is sure to be in there somewhere.
Later you can tune in to hear “Cantors: a Faith in Song.” on December 5th at 3pm. The liturgical as well as more popular music of the holiday will be presented by three acclaimed cantors, accompanied by an orchestra and chorus. This is sure to be a rich experience.
Later in the month there are two programs on the relationships and development of religion among Jews, Christians, and Moslems on “Three Faiths, One God.” Part 1 is on the 12th at 10pm and part 2 airs on the 19th at 10pm. Understanding the relationships and the commonalities among the three religions will hopefully bring a deeper opportunity for peace in the world – certainly that is the prayer of many.
So prepare your candles and Hanukiah (menorah); fry up latkes for the entire family, get out the dreidels and Hanukkah gelt and prepare to enjoy one of the richest holiday seasons of the year – you don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy – and we hope you will join us as we share this wonderful programming with you.
