Christmas is a big problem in Germany. Christmas markets, Glühwein and nativity scenes abound. The services of Christmas Eve are attended by religious and people who simply look for celestial carols.
But all this Christmas mania is forgetting another important holiday, Hanukkah. This sacred Jewish holiday is known as the “Festival of Lights” and is celebrated for eight nights with the lighting of the menorah and the delivery of gifts, visits to friends, and traditional food and music.
Hanukkah in Germany is especially moving. In 2019, it will take place from December 22 to December 30. Frohes Chanukka!
How to celebrate Hanukkah in Germany
Germany’s Jewish community is still only a fraction of the size it was before World War II, but its rebirth shows vitality and assertiveness. The nearly 200,000 Jews living in Germany make up the third largest Jewish population in Western Europe.
Many Israelis have made a pilgrimage back to Germany, but some of these new immigrants are quite secular and not so religious. Despite their relatively small numbers and some hesitancy to embrace the holidays, there is a growing effort to celebrate Hanukkah in Germany amid the Christmas madness.
For newbies and visitors it can be difficult to find your community, but the basics of Hanukkah can be practiced anywhere. The dreidel, a traditional Hanukkah toy, actually comes from a German gambling game and can be found everywhere in the winter season. Latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts) can be made at home or purchased at select Jewish bakeries and cafes.
And just because you’re celebrating Hanukkah doesn’t mean you’re excluded from the German cultural phenomenon that is Christmas. It is estimated that up to 90 percent of the Jewish community in Germany celebrates both holidays and can be affectionately called ” Weihnukka ” by combining Weihnachten and Chanukka .
Hanukkah celebrations in German cities
If you want to get involved in the community aspect of the holiday, there are opportunities to celebrate within a larger Jewish circle, particularly in big cities. For example, at least 50,000 of the country’s Jews live in Berlin and the Jewish community is strongest in this international center. Other major cities are home to smaller, but still vibrant communities. Even in the smallest villages, national groups can connect you with local groups.
Hanukkah in Berlin
To commemorate the holidays in Germany’s capital, Europe’s largest menorah is lit in front of the Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate) on the first night of Hanukkah. This event is not only a symbolic tribute to the Jewish community, but an act that represents the great change in the perception of Judaism in Germany since World War II.
There are a variety of society events, such as the exclusive Hanukkah Ball at the Grand Hyatt Berlin. The chabad.org website can help you find events in your area.
The respected Jewish Museum in Berlin is also a great resource for finding local celebrations. In recent years, Hanukkah candles have been lit in the Glass Courtyard accompanied by international musicians. Admission is free.
For a Hanukkah festival in Berlin, Shtetl Neukölln celebrates Yiddish music and culture. It also includes workshops and concerts.
If you are looking for your favorite Jewish foods, try Kädtler Bakery. Family-run since 1935, its products are certified kosher. Get the perfect bagel and schmear at Fine Bagels. More Jewish businesses in Berlin can be found here.
Hanukkah in Frankfurt
The Jewish Museum in Frankfurt is also worth looking at for events and conferences. In Frankfurt, a menorah and a Christmas tree are presented and given equal importance in the square in front of the Alte Oper.
Hanukkah and Alemania
Find your favorite kosher products in specialized stores in most German cities (such as Munich). Look for Koscher menus (the German word for “Kosher”) and acceptable dishes.
Another tradition of the Jewish community in Germany is to collect the wicks and oil that remain after the lighting of the menorah and use them to start a bonfire. This is usually a family or community celebration.
Find a local Jewish community in Germany
The Zentralrat der Juden en Deutschland (Central Council of Jews in Germany) is an excellent resource for learning about Jewish life, celebrations and local organizations in Germany. Its helpful online map helps identify resources in your area.
