Hanukkah and Christmas are overlapping, creating a rare Christmukkah celebration. This is only the fifth time in 124 years that Hanukkah has started on Christmas Day, a coincidence not expected again until 2035, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Metro Detroit celebrated Hanukkah with events like the 'Menorah in the D' at Campus Martius, where a 26-foot Menorah was lit, along with hot soup, crafts, and entertainment. Other festivities included the Chanukah Havdalah Glow Party in Southfield and the Family Hanukkah Party in West Bloomfield. Phil Reznick shared, “A family tradition. We get together. Kibbutz. A Yiddish word. We have fun together and exchange presents,” and spoke about the importance of latkes: “The potato latkes, my daughter will shred potatoes and I don't know what she puts in them to make them stick.” Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov reflected on the holiday’s meaning: “It’s the miracle of lights. 2000 years ago, when Jews were in Israel they were persecuted. There was one jug of oil for one day. It lasted 8 days. A miracle. Each one of us has a jug of oil in our hearts,” as stated by WXYZ.
This year, Michigan cities like Detroit, Rochester, and Traverse City are hosting Chanukah events, including Chanukah on Ice and Menorah in the Square. These celebrations aim to blend the sacred and secular, honoring Hanukkah’s traditions, as reported by ClickOnDetroit.
