Synopses & Reviews
What a holiday. No pestilence, no slavery, no locusts, no cattle disease or atonement. synagogue, no guilt, no mortar, and no real lesson to be absorbed and passed down to my Jewish offspring. Thank God, writes Joshua Braff, one of eighteen Jewish writers-- Adam Langer, Tova Mirvis, Steve Almond, Peter Orner, and others--who extol, excoriate, and expand our understanding of this most merry of Jewish holidays and offer up nervy, irreverent, and, yes, even nostalgic takes on a holiday that has a special place in Jewish hearts . . . and stomachs.
There are profound questions: Chanukah unearths a debate that's been going on for centuries. Yes, I'm talking about potato latkes: grated or mashed? (Amy Klein). There are confessions: Perhaps here is where I should mention that my 100 percent Jewish father was--and remains--obsessed with Christmas (Jennifer Gilmore); revelations: Shocker of all shockers, the first Jewish governor in the United States was elected in . . . Idaho Swear (Jill Kkargman); and tender recollections: You are reminded of your real gifts: a family who you get to come home to (Laura Dave). And there's even a comic strip by Eric Orner, the mastermind behind Ethan Green.
From the hilarious to the snarky, the poignant to the poetic, this collection proves there are as many ways to spell Chanukah as there are ways to celebrate it.
Review
“Eighteen youngish writers contribute personal essays—from the snarky to the sentimental—riffing on the ancient Jewish holiday.”
—The Washington Post
Synopsis
From the hilarious to the snarky, the poignant to the poetic, this collection of essays proves there are as many ways to spell Chanukah as there are ways to celebrate it.
Synopsis
Ring in the holiday with eighteen writers who extol, excoriate, and expand our understanding of this most merry of Jewish festivals as they offer up funny, irreverent, and, yes, even nostalgic takes on a holiday that holds a special place in Jewish hearts . . . and stomachs.
Pieces by Jonathan Tropper, Jennifer Gilmore, Steve Almond, Joanna Smith Rakoff, Adam Langer, and others address pressing issues: what is the weight gain associated with eating 432 latkes in eight nights? Offer joyous gratitude: “What a holiday! No pestilence, no slavery, no locusts, no cattle disease, or atonement. Thank God.” And afford tender truths: “You are reminded of your real gifts: a family you get to come home to.”
Whether your family tradition included a Christmas tree or a Chanukah bush, whether the fights among your siblings rivaled the battles of the Maccabees, or even if you havent a clue who the Maccabees were, this little book illustrates the joys, frustrations, and small miracles of the season.
About the Author
Emily Franklin is the author of The Girls' Almanac and Liner Notes and numerous novels for young adults. She has edited three previous anthologies, including It's a Wonderful Lie: 26 Truths About Life in Your Twenties.