You Don’t Have to Be Jewish to Love Latkes
What are Latkes?
They’re the special potato pancakes eaten by most Jewish people this time of the year to celebrate Hanukkah. This holiday, observed throughout the world, honors the Jewish victory over ancient Syrian-Greek oppressors in Judea.
When the Jewish soldiers known as the Maccabees miraculously liberated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, there was not enough pure olive oil remaining to relight the candelabra or Menorah in the sanctuary. Miraculously, the small amount of oil that was found managed to last for eight days while waiting for more oil to be procured.
So, to this day, Jews everywhere recall the ancient victory and miracle by lighting candles for eight successive nights using family or public Menorahs and celebrate by eating foods fried in oil – like donuts and latkes.
Sag Harbor’s own Hanukkah party will take place this year on Sunday, December 22nd from 4:00pm-6:00pm at the Center for Jewish Life, 24 Long Island Ave. Sag Harbor, NY 11963. Please RSVP via email at: info@cfjewishlife.com.
There will be much more than Menorah lighting, donuts and latkes with appropriate libations. There will also be an art opening at the Ezra Gallery of the Hamptons, exhibited inside the Center for Jewish Life. Since Hanukkah is also called the Festival of Lights, the theme of this opening is “LIGHT.” Curated by Kimberly Goff of the Elaine Benson Gallery, the exhibit will feature Judaica-themed artworks by such well-known luminaries as: Stephanie Brody Lederman, Robert Feinland, Ellen Frank, Erling Hope, Edward Joseph, Nathan Slate Joseph, Michael Knigin, Eleanora Kupencow, Zero Mostel, Larry Rivers and Susan Schwalb.
Those looking for appropriate seasonal gifts will be cheered by a selection of handcrafted religious articles such as Menorahs and Mezuzah cases available for purchase. Also on offer will be a selection of local and Judaica-themed antique postcards exhibited by Hy Mariampolski whose lifetime as a collector and dealer was featured recently in the New York Times.
Most of all, the Center for Jewish Life wishes to reach out to old and new friends, to members of the Jewish community of all denominations, to members of the local community of any religion and non-religion to stand with us and experience LIGHT as the alternative to hatred and despair.
As Rabbi Berel Lerman of the CFJL has said, “The Menorah commemorates the story of Hanukkah and symbolizes the triumph of freedom over tyranny, light over darkness and good over evil. It’s a wonderful time to come together and kindle a flame of hope, resilience and positivity. "
