Hanukah fun

Here at Casa Midiana, we're gearing up for the annual Hanukkah smorgasbord. (Hey, what's a Swedish Jew to do? Latkes, herring, Glögg, it's all good!) While I go back to convincing The Kid that no, he can't have all his presents on the same night, here are some fun and enlightening links for your enjoyment.

History
Caught this great interview on NPR with Dianne Ashton, professor of American Studies at Rowan University, the other day. (Listen to it here)

It was a way for the Jewish community to be a part of something that was happening in America.

"They didn't see Christmas as something they could do easily because it's Christian, but they did want to do something like that because it was American," Ashton says.

Hanukkah began to change again between 1880 and 1920, when more than 2 million Jewish immigrants came to the U.S. from Eastern Europe.

"It became an occasion for them to do activities in the U.S. that they really couldn't do freely," she says. "They had concerts in public halls, and restaurants had Hanukkah specials."

Mockery
Stephen Colbert and John Stewart: Can I Interest You in Hanukah?



Fun Suprise
I can't wait to be there when Nefesh b'Nefesh does "The Kaparot Flash Mob".



Hag Sameach, y'all!

UPDATE:
One more video, via Yo Yenta, because it was just too awesome not to share: