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Hanukkah Cards: The Holiday Tradition We All Need in 2020

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Jewish Museum Boxed Hanukkah Cards: Zoomukkah? Hanuzoom? by Jenny Rozbruch

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Hanukkah 2020 is going to be a holiday unlike any other. A lot of us are going to be missing family and friends we’d ordinarily celebrate with, and all kinds of eagerly anticipated festivities – from Hanukkah parties to public menorah lightings – are a no go due to the pandemic.

But we’d like to propose one small custom to add to your Hanukkah toolbox that can help you stay connected even while social distancing: the Hanukkah greeting card. Sending a cute card with a heartfelt message is such an underrated – and easy – way to reach out across the miles and make your loved ones feel cared for. Plus, these days there are so many fun designs to choose from – and today we’re sharing some of our very favorites. 

While sending (and hopefully also receiving!) some gorgeous greeting cards to those loved ones you won’t be able to see in person this year is a great way to alleviate some of that pandemic gloom, we realize it may not be quite enough to get you through all eight days – and for that reason, we’re running a FREE online 8 Days of Hanukkah Festival, starting December 8. Come together with our wonderful community of Jewish and Jew-ish women from around the world to share recipes, crafts, decor, music, and more – and to make some new friends, of course! Sign up to reserve your spot today.

Mighty Maccabees Hanukkah Card by ThePaperPonyCo via Etsy

We love the way this fun card illustrates key elements of the Hanukkah story, from the Maccabees to the menorah to that miraculous jug of olive oil!

 

Blue Hanukkah Scene Card by Paula & Waffle via ModernTribe
(10% discount for Smashing Life members)

We’re loving the folkloric vibes of this blue and white design.

 

Saguaro Cactus Menorah Card by SketchyNotions via Etsy

Attention all Southwesterners: rep your regional pride with this fun saguaro menorah card! Also appropriate for those of us just dreaming about a warmer climate this time of year…

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The Ultimate 2020 Hanukkah Gifting Guide

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With Hanukkah just weeks away we’re rounding up our favorite Hanukkah gifts below. And have you downloaded our free Hanukkah guide packed with everything you need for a lit Hanukkah? It’s packed with easy recipe and decor ideas, songs, gift ideas, blessings, symbolism, and how to feel part of a community – even when it’s 2020. Download it here.

The Ultimate Chanukah Sweater by Sefira Lightstone

We’re obsessed with this totally gorgeous and 100% non-cheesy Hanukkah sweatshirt from artist and illustrator Sefira Lightstone. Featuring the skyline of ancient Jerusalem, a 7-branch menorah (the kind in the temple in Jerusalem that was miraculously kept burning for 8 days in the holiday’s origin story), and Hebrew text reading “A Great Miracle Happened There,” this is one holiday sweatshirt we’d be more than happy to wear year-round.

Marzipan Sufganiyot by Marzipops from ModernTribe
(10% discount for Smashing Life members)

It’s sufganiyot! No, it’s marzipan! Wait, it’s… marzipan sufganiyot! If you’re into foods that look like other foods, this sweet kosher-certified box of assorted Hanukkah doughnuts (that are actually almond paste) is going to be RIGHT up your alley. Bonus: it’ll stay fresh a whole lot longer than a box of actual sufganiyot.

Flora Petite Keepsake Gift Box by New York & Narrative
(10% discount for Smashing Life members)

Jewish-owned small business New York & Narrative puts together some of the most stylish gift boxes we’ve ever seen – and Flora, which comes packed goodies including a dark chocolate bar, a botanical facial steam, a soy travel candle scented with cedar, amber, and bay leaves, and a bundle of hand-dried florals –  is perfect for anyone in your life who deserves some serious pampering this Hanukkah.

Hanukkah Candy from See’s Candies

How cute would a bowl full of these little berry-flavored Star of David hard candies look on your Hanukkah table?Continue ReadingContinue Reading

Outfit Your Home for Hanukkah 2020

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Hanukkah Garland by SheepFarmFelt via Etsy

Chances are, you’re spending a lot more time at home this year than usual. And while the reasons for that are obviously not so happy, it doesn’t mean some of the outcomes can’t be – like the fact that in 2020 more people than ever seem to be decorating for the holidays. 

And there’s no reason that can’t include Hanukkah – in fact, here at Team STG we feel strongly that it should! We know Hanukkah’s not traditionally a big decorating holiday, but there’s nothing like some joyous reminders of the upcoming Festival of Lights to inject some cheer into your living space – something just about all of us could use right now.

And lest you think Hanukkah decor’s just for kids, think again: these days, there are so many beautiful, sophisticated, not-at-all -cheesy pieces to choose from, whether your preferred style skews contemporary, rustic, vintage, or boho. Read on for some of our top picks.

Star of David Botanical Hanukkah Decoration from Peace Love Light
(10% discount for Smashing Life members)

We are loving the rustic vibes of these Star of David botanical hanging decorations!

Mini Hanukkah Garland from the Kitcut via ModernTribe
(10% discount for Smashing Life members)

This cute mini Hanukkah garland is just the right size for perking up your work-from-home office digs!

Lights of Hanukkah Plate Set from The Jewish Museum Shop

Fun fact: latkes and sufganiyot taste better when you eat them off these festive dessert plates featuring four different Hanukkah lamps from the collections of the Jewish Museum in New York City.

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Ten Meaningful Ways to Bring Shabbat Into Your Life {Part Two}

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Photo courtesy of Micaela Ezra 

Last week we shared five of our favorite accessible ways to begin or grow your observance of Shabbat, Judaism’s weekly day  of rest which runs from Friday evening at sunset through to Saturday night 25 hours later – and this week we’re back with the second half of our list.

Especially in times as uncertain as the ones we’re living through right now, Shabbat is an incredible tool for disconnecting from the chaos of 2020 and reconnecting with ourselves, our loved ones, and our tradition and spirituality. In the words of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, the former chief rabbi of the United Kingdom and one of the most prominent Jewish thinkers of our times, who tragically passed away just yesterday, “Shabbat is the day we stand still and let all our blessings catch up with us” – and, now more than ever, couldn’t we all use a little bit of that in our lives?

Take Time to Relax

Whether that means curling up with a good book, taking a relaxing stroll in nature, or even a nap (a Shabbat nap on Saturday afternoon is actually a traditional practice for some!), take some time to rest and rejuvenate. After all, Shabbat commemorates the seventh day of creation when, after bringing the world into being on the first six days, God ceased from work – and, in so doing, created the very concept of rest. 

In the words of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, one of the greatest Jewish thinkers of the 20th century, in his classic The Sabbath: Its Meaning for Modern Man, “Six days a week we seek to dominate the world, on the seventh day we try to dominate the self.” Which, if you think about it, means that even your Shabbat self-care is imbued with an extra hit of holiness.

Attitude of Gratitude

We love this suggestion that our friend Paula Shoyer, The Kosher Baker, shared on our Your Jewish Life  Instagram account: Shabbat is the perfect time to reflect back on the week and focus on the things you have to be grateful for – from the biggest to the smallest. Seriously, it can be anything from your family to finding a great parking spot!

Keep Up with the Weekly Torah Portion

Reading the weekly parsha (Torah portion) is a great way to spend some of your Shabbat. If, like most of us, you’re not able to read it in the original Hebrew, find a translation you like in English or whatever language is most comfortable for you. Either in addition to reading the actual Torah portion, or instead, you can also sign up to get any number of commentaries sent to your inbox or podcast queue weekly, in written or audio form. There are plenty to choose from – check out Covenant and Conversation from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, who sadly passed away over this past Shabbat; Ten Minutes of Torah from Reformjudaism.org; Torah from JTS; or Parsha Picks from Chabad. If you’re looking for some more suggestions, we love this list from My Jewish Learning. 

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Ten Meaningful Ways to Bring Shabbat Into Your Life {Part One}

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ahyin-shabbat-table

Photo courtesy of Micaela Ezra 

Possibly one of the coolest things about Judaism is the fact that we have holidays not just a handful of times a year, but every single week. Shabbat, a 25-hour period lasting from sundown each Friday through nightfall on Saturday, is Judaism’s day of rest – and given the, er, state  of unrest in the world right now with the pandemic and all, isn’t that something we could all use?

Shabbat is a weekly commemoration of the seventh day of creation, when, after creating the world in the first six days, God rested – as well as a weekly celebration of the freedom God granted the Israelites from Egypt. As such, one of the hallmarks of the day, traditionally, is refraining from work – which is defined by Jewish law in ways that might not always square with our 21st-century interpretations (more about this below).

Whether you choose to follow all the traditional rules of Shabbat or to pick just one or two observances to bring to the day, celebrating Shabbat each week is one of the most beautiful and meaningful ways to bring spirituality in your life – and the fact that Shabbat comes around each and every week means you’ve got plenty of opportunities to try different things out and see what works for you. This week, we’re sharing five ideas to light up your Shabbat – and next week we’ll be back with five more.

Light Candles

One of the best-known – and most beautiful – Shabbat traditions is lighting candles on Friday night. Just before Shabbat begins, it’s customary to light at least two candles (in honor of the two Torah passages commanding Jews to observe Shabbat: “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy” and “Observe the Sabbath day to keep it holy”), cover your eyes, and recite a blessing.

The candles are to be left to burn down – depending on what kind you go for, they should last at least a few hours – and watching the lights flicker as you sit down to your Shabbat dinner (or however else you choose to spend the evening) adds a really special touch to your home’s atmosphere. And especially as we get into the darker, colder winter nights, there’s just something undeniably cozy about candlelight. 

Give Tzedakah

It’s customary to give tzedakah (often translated as “charity,” this Hebrew word actually means something closer to “justice” or “righteousness” – which is a nice insight into the way Jewish tradition looks at giving back) each week prior to lighting the Shabbat candles. The traditional way to do this is to drop some cash or coins into a tzedakah box – and these days, you can purchase beautiful designs to suit any style, or if you’re crafty you could decorate your own – but you could also set up a recurring electronic donation to a cause that’s meaningful to you. 

Turn Your Tech Off 

For those who observe Shabbat traditionally, there’s a long list of activities (39, to be precise) that are prohibited – these are drawn from the tasks that were involved in constructing the Tabernacle in which the Israelites carried the Ten Commandments during their desert sojourn during the Exodus, and include everything from writing to kindling a flame (which, these days, includes actions like turning a light switch or TV on) to carrying outside of one’s private domain. 

Computers, phones, and other tech gadgets are out due to the prohibitions on both kindling a flame and writing (yep, letters on a screen count) – but even if you don’t abide by the traditional laws of Shabbat, as our lives get more and more tech-based, lots of people are finding a benefit to taking a “technology Shabbat” (yes, that’s really a thing). There’s something really freeing and calming about saying no to email and texts, social media and news, and committing to being present. You can do it for the whole 25 hours, or pick a smaller interval at some point during Shabbat in which you’ll power down and check out. 

If the idea of a technology Shabbat doesn’t speak to you – or if you’ve already made it a practice and are looking to do more – you can always choose another activity to cut out for some or all of the holiday, whether it’s one traditionally prohibited on Shabbat or just something you’d like to work on personally. 

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