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Hello PC peeps… Whassup? Well, with Christmas and Chanukah happening around the same time this year, I thought it would be nice to share this.

Chanukah (also spelled Hanukkah and at least six other variations) is a Jewish festival commemorating the victory of the Maccabees in 165 B.C.E. and the subsequent liberation and rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. Also known as the Festival of Lights, Chanukah, which means “dedication” in Hebrew, is celebrated on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, which usually falls in December and lasts eight days.

It is celebrated by lighting the menorah or hanukkiyah (a ceremonial 9-branched candelabra), playing dreidel (a small spinning top with markings), giving children gelt (small amounts of money), and eating traditional foods like yummy potato latkes, a fried and delicious potato pancake (often served with applesauce or sour cream), or sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts). I’ll explain the food tradition in more detail below.

Christmas celebrations are held on December 24th or 25th (using the Gregorian calendar), or, in the Orthodox tradition, following the Julian calendar, on January 6th or 7th, depending on one’s culture. The holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is a significant Christian observance. It is marked by various religious and secular traditions, including attending church services, decorating a tree, enjoying a festive meal, and exchanging gifts.

During a Chanukah dinner, latkes take centre stage. The word itself is of Russian origin and was adopted into Yiddish, and it means something like “little pancake.” The significance of eating potato latkes and other fried foods is about how a little drop of oil found in the Temple burned in the menorah for eight days instead of just one — a miracle that is the basis of the story of Chanukah. The oil used to fry the latkes commemorates this miracle, making it a central part of the holiday's observances. As for the rest of the meal, it usually consists of a delicious roasted brisket with other goodies like knishes (a baked doughy pastry filled with potato or other fillings) and kasha and bowties (a mixture of cooked buckwheat grains and bowtie-shaped noodles) as a side dish.

In a traditional North American Christmas dinner, a turkey is typically roasted and then served with gravy, made from the turkey's drippings. Mashed potatoes are often a staple side dish, providing a creamy and comforting base. Cranberry sauce adds a tart and tangy flavour, complementing the savoury turkey and potatoes. This combination of dishes is a classic holiday meal that brings people together during the festive season. And don’t forget the ever-present fruitcake!

Regardless of what you celebrate or what wonderful things you choose to eat, I hope you all find the holidays to be peaceful and fun.

The bottom line is literally wishing you all a happy, joyful holiday!