This year, the first night of the 8-day holiday of Hanukkah begins on December 1st. Hanukkah is another great time to gather family history, and there are so many ways to do this. Try having everyone share their favorite Hanukkah memories. Ask the "elders" in the family what they remember of how they celebrated Hanukkah when they were children--or what they know of how their parents and grandparents celebrated. I know that my father told me that his favorite Hanukkah as a child was when he received a fresh orange as a gift. Apparently an orange was not something that was easily obtained in Lithuania. Also elucidating is to ask others about their families' Hanukkah traditions. Often you'll find that different branches of the family celebrate the holidays in different ways. We have cousins who rather than giving Hanukkah gifts each night, give a gift only on one night. On other nights they do something special or meaningful, and related to Hanukkah. So, one night they might make traditional Hanukkah latkes (potato pancakes), one night they might attend a Hanukkah party at their local home for the aged, one day they might volunteer to read Hanukah stories to the children at their Jewish Center's after school daycare program, etc. On a lighter note, we also have family members who celebrate Hanukkah each year by watching reruns of Saturday Night Live's Hanukkah Harry. For fun, click on the link or picture below.  |
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CategoriesFamily history, creativity, creative options family histories, cousins sharing family storiesFamily stories Fun things to do on Thanksgiving hanukkah family traditions, hanukkah traditions, memories of hanukkah, hanukkah activities, Holocaust recipes, Recipes Remembered: A Celebration of Survival by June Feiss Hirsch meaningful gifts, gifts that matter, do it yourself personal histories, life stories, oral history Passover memories, Easter memories, modern day exodus from Egypt personal history, oral history Personal history, oral history, holocaust testimonies, Columbus Jewish Federation, community service Pictures telling stories preserving memories for those with cognitive impairment, alzheimers reminiscence, life review, personal narratives in medicine,satisfaction in storytelling social service, hospice volunteers, Dan Curtis, Association of Personal Historians Thanksgiving activities Thanksgiving recipes, Heirloom Cookbooks, family history, recipes as family history Thanksgiving stories |
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