We get to celebrate both Christmas AND Hanukkah here. Double the holidays-- can life get any better?
Last night was our Christmas concert! Every year the students here put on a concert for the community that is always sold out and is so much fun to perform! We had a few solos and small ensembles, and then the full student choir (for which I satisfactorily messed things up on the piano... :P) Fun night! And it was great to have a mostly Jewish audience, too--this concert is a wonderful opportunity to share messages that we aren't allowed to share otherwise.
Last night was our Christmas concert! Every year the students here put on a concert for the community that is always sold out and is so much fun to perform! We had a few solos and small ensembles, and then the full student choir (for which I satisfactorily messed things up on the piano... :P) Fun night! And it was great to have a mostly Jewish audience, too--this concert is a wonderful opportunity to share messages that we aren't allowed to share otherwise.
Tonight is the sixth night of Hanukkah! One of our professors here teaches Jewish studies at BYU and has lived in Israel off and on for 30 years, so he's become rather assimilated into Jewish culture. As he likes to say, "Without Hanukkah there would be no Christmas!" and gets a great deal of enjoyment out of celebrating the feast of lights-- he invites us down to his patio to light the candles and sing. And none of us begrudges any excuse to celebrate.... My marvelous roommate Jacqueline bought a hanukkiah (Menorah) so we have our own celebration every night of Hanukkah! Tonight it was my turn to light the candles--isn't it pretty?
So, in Israel, Hanukkah is not Hanukkah without gorging oneself on the traditional holiday treat: sufganiot--donuts filled with jam, cream, caramel or chocolate! Absolutely heavenly... Jenna and Megan and I found some in the Jewish quarter that were so good we went back and bought a second round. Oh, goodness. Here's a super messy, mouthwatering, strawberry jam filled one! Donuts here definitely don't taste like Krispy Kremes :P One thing I was interested to learn about Hanukkah foods is that, for the most part, anything goes as long as it's cooked in oil, reminiscent of the oil that burned for eight days following the rededication of the Second Temple at the time of the Maccabean Revolt. Not the healthiest symbol. but I'm not one to complain ;)
And then tonight we watched a recorded broadcast of the First Presidency Christmas Devotional :) I am so for Christmas at home with my family!
Merry Christmas!
And Happy Hanukkah! :)
And Happy Hanukkah! :)
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