Kraft-Hiatt Professor of Judaic Studies at the College, provides a historical background and a modern interpretation on the significance of the Jewish celebration. In a piece for the Conversation, Avery-Peck emphasizes the dynamic nature of Hanukkah, changing with social and historical developments: “Over two millennia, Hanukkah has evolved to narrate the story of the Maccabees in ways that meet the distinctive needs of successive generations of Jews…but also as is appropriate to each period’s distinctive cultural forces, ideologies and experiences.”
“Hanukkah today responds to Jews’ desire to see their history as consequential, as reflecting the value of religious freedom that Jews share with all other Americans. Hanukkah, with its bright decorations, songs, and family- and community-focused celebrations, also fulfills American Jews’ need to reengage disaffected Jews and to keep Jewish children excited about Judaism,” Avery-Peck writes.
Read the full piece at The Conversation.
Additional Coverage:
El Pais, Dec. 13
BYU Radio, Top of Mind With Julie Rose, Dec. 13
Salon, Dec. 14
The Good Men Project, Dec. 19
