Hanukkah can be seen as a holiday about assimilation. Read the full description.
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Piece Description
Hanukkah has become the pinnacle of assimilation for American Jews. Dreidels and Menorahs hang in holiday displays alongside Christmas trees and wreaths. But the real history of Hanukkah is sometimes forgotten. The ancient war that Hanukkah celebrates was very much a civil war between religious and secular Jews. A former Orthodox Jew explains (while cooking latkes) how this 2,000 year old struggle over assimilation has affected her life.
Broadcast History
Broadcast on Weekend America 12/20/08 and 12/21/08
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Eric Winick
Posted on December 21, 2008 at 11:18 AM | Permalink
True enough!
I hear you, brother: Hanukkah is definitely the pinnacle of assimilation. As usual, Molinsky shoots and scores, laying out his argument neatly, with facts, humor, and best of all, the sound of frying latkes. He sets the scene beautifully, interviewing a former Orthodox Jewish woman (in Brooklyn, we all seem to know one) and a rabbi to tease out the 'ugly truth' about the secularization of one of our favorite holidays -- both today and in ancient times.
Perfectly mixed, and just the right length, this is an ideal piece for this crazy, mixed up time of year.