How to Eat Donuts and Celebrate Foreign Holidays from an Outsider's Perspective

I know this news may shock you, but Israel is a predominately Jewish country. Another interesting fact: I am not Jewish. So, this is my first Hannukah, which I so aptly am spending my time in Israel for.

Usually I give some background for what my posts are about. I, however, am not the most qualified person to fill those who are unaware in on what Hannukah is all about. Thankfully Wikipedia is readily avaiable with their Hannukah page here for anyone who wants more (or more accurate) information.

What I can tell you about are my experiences regarding the holiday while here in Jerusalem...

From what I can observe, I love Hannukah. Taken mostly from a secular and historical standpoint I think it's super nifty. It's a time of reflection, meditation, and celebration regarding the miracle of the oil burning for eight days even though there was only enough oil for a short amount of time. However, the way it's celebrated is fantastic.

In case you haven't figured it out yet, I really care about two things: friends and food. And Hannukah here combinds them both.

On the first night I joined a variety of friends in different apartments for Hannukah celebrations. My friend and classmate Rivka's father who is a rabbi flew in from New York and so she hosted a Hannukah celebration for lighting the candles on the first evening of Hannukah. Afterword, people reconviened at a later Hannukah party at my Jewish Arabic TA's apartment for more food and fellowship.

Everyone enjoying latkes as we were given a brief lecture on the historical background of Hannukah.

First night of Hannukah!

I am aware that this is probably greatly due to the fact that being international students we are all away from our home communities, traveling, and also just a part of college life in general, but as beautiful as the hanukiah lighting is, it can also be wonderfully shambly. 

My classmate Reeven lighting the Shabbat candles in a bar that used to be my Arabic teacher's old elementary school during our class trip to Nazareth.

On Friday night (Shabbat) my entire apartment decided to essentially desert me for the evening so home alone I decided to carry on my roommates' traditions. After much Googling to figure out the process I FaceTimed Noah as I lit the Hannukah candles for the first time.

Lighting the hanukiah and Shabbat candles even though I was the only one at home.

This is a picture of people gathered outside Jaffa Gate at the Old City celebrating the holiday.

If Hannukah wasn't already cool enough, there's one other great part. Since the holiday is celebrating the miracle of the oil it is Jewish tradition to eat lots of fried foods. In the United States I used to think the holiday was limited to latkes and chocolate gelt. However, it also means donuts. Lots and lots of donuts, or sufganiyot as they're called here in Israel. Let's just say Noah and I had to sample around to make sure we found the best ones. Which we did.

 Some of our favorite donuts from a bakery in Mamilla, a shopping district downtown.

I write this all in good fun, but it really has been great being able to add Hannukah to the growing list of new things I've gotten to experience during my semester abroad. I've really enjoyed seeing the wide diversity of people celebrating it all around me and it's hard to not be in a holiday mood with the year coming to an end. So what I guess I'm trying to say is...

Happy Hannukah!