The first night of Hanukkah and Christmas Day coincide this year, a rare occurrence prompting reflection on interfaith family celebrations. For Erica Foster, this means celebrating Hanukkah for the first time in a non-Jewish household. She and her husband, Tim, are making the 12-hour drive to his parents’ home in Maryland, where Christmas is traditionally celebrated. While Tim’s family is open-minded, Erica anticipates some confusion regarding Hanukkah traditions, such as allowing the menorah candles to burn out naturally. This unique situation highlights the balancing act many interfaith families face, striving to equally represent both religions while navigating potential misunderstandings.
Dan Olsen, director of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, notes the challenge and opportunity presented by such overlaps. He emphasizes the importance of sharing family heritage while maintaining individual identities, and the potential for increased understanding and dialogue between the two faiths. The Garcia family, another interfaith household, has developed their own harmonious blend of Hanukkah and Christmas celebrations over the years. They’ve found a compromise, incorporating a wooden Christmas tree alongside their menorah, and separating the focus of each holiday—Christmas centering on gifts, and Hanukkah on family-oriented activities.
The convergence of these holidays, sometimes dubbed “Chrismukkah,” has sparked both celebration and debate within the Jewish community. Some might see it as a commercialization of Hanukkah, influenced by the dominant Christian culture. However, Rabbi Steven Philp of Mishkan Chicago views it as a testament to Jewish adaptability and the level of acceptance Jews have achieved in the United States. He points out that Hanukkah’s traditions themselves are a blend of cultures, and the holiday’s growing presence in mainstream American life reflects a hard-won sense of belonging. While acknowledging the rise of antisemitism, he sees the widespread celebration of Hanukkah as a positive sign. The coinciding holidays, for many families, present a unique opportunity to celebrate both traditions and build bridges between faiths.