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Playlist: A Happy Hanukkah

Compiled By: PRX Editors

Curated Playlist

Hanukkah is Dec. 20-28.

Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel... Check out our Holiday Music Specials and Christmas Editors' Picks as well. For more pieces about Jewish history and culture, take a look at our Jewish History Editors' Picks.

Below are picks chosen by PRX editorial staff. You can find other options for Hannukah by using our search.

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Hour (49:00-1:00:00)

Yiddish Radio Project Holiday Special, Hour One

From Sound Portraits | 00:58:59

Two self-contained hours of special programming based on the acclaimed ten-part ATC series, with a Web site filled with photos, features, background, and sound at YiddishRadioProject.org. View Hour Two here.

The Kabbalah of Chanukah

From Russ Jennings | Part of the Days of Wonder series | 00:57:03

Mystical tales & teachings & Jewish sacred music from around the world.

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Portraits of Faith

From Aaron Henkin | 00:49:27

Nine people of nine different faiths and philosophies attempt to answer a deceptively simple question: What does it mean to you to believe?

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Hanukkah: A Great Miracle Happened There

From The Radio Foundation, Inc. | 00:58:49

A conversation between Rabbi Ismar Schorsch and Host Larry Josephson about the history, rituals and meaning of Hanukkah and its importance in our time.

An Open Gate

From Claire Schoen | Part of the ILLUMINATIONS: Jewish Culture in the Light of the World series | 00:58:56

What happens to the children when Jews and Christians marry? An Open Gate looks at this question with humor and sensitivity. Jews and Christians speak about growing up within their faith and how intermarriage has redefined their perspective. Interfaith couples grapple with the challenge of celebrating holidays as a family as they attempt to instill a sense of religion, community and holiday spirit. This program also digs deep into the historical underpinnings of these two religions, exploring Jewish fears of Christian anti-Semitism and Christian desires to share Jesus' love with people they care about.

Happy ChallaDAY!

From Camino Real Productions, LLC | 00:53:39

Happy ChallaDAY! An original musical comedy for Hanukkah. Book, music and lyrics by Charles Moster.

Segments (9:00-23:59)

La Nona Kanta ("The Grandmother Sings")

From Julie Subrin | 00:14:21

Profile of Flory Jagoda, an 83-year-old Sephardic folk singer from Sarajevo.

Schnartzenholler

From Canadian Broadcasting Corporation | Part of the CBC Radio's Outfront series | 00:13:20

It's not Christmas. It's not Hanukkah. It's Schnartzenholler! When Emily Pearlman was a child her Jewish father and Christian mother created their own unique holiday celebration.

Cutaways (5:00-8:59)

Chanukah with Byron

From Terin Mayer | 00:08:54

Celebrating Chanukah in a dingy dorm lounge with an unlikely companion.

Like Hanukah Oil, Endangered Ladino Language Endures Among Jews

From Rhonda J. Miller | 00:04:56

As Jews around the world prepare to celebrate Hanukah, some in Boston are singing in Ladino, a language UNESCO rates as "severely endangered" in its 2009 Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger. Ladino has been traveling with the Jews since they were expelled from Spain in 1492.

Drop-Ins (2:00-4:59)

Ladino Hanukah Songs Shed Light on Endangered Language of Jews

From Rhonda J. Miller | 00:04:24

As the candles of Hanukkah connect Jews around the world, holiday songs in Ladino shine a light on a language UNESCO rates as “severely endangered.” An increasing number of musicians in many countries are singing in this Judeo-Spanish language, which means it is no longer just your grandmother's Ladino.

The Stories of Hanukkah

From Eric Molinsky | 00:04:57

Hanukkah can be seen as a holiday about assimilation.