First Night Chanukah in a shared faith University Flat
Object number
2024.8
Donor
T Daniels
- Object Information
This is a photograph of Theo’s childhood Chanukiah (9-branched candelabra) with the first night candles lit in the window of his third-year university flat. You can also see Christmas decorations and a pumpkin for Halloween.
The festival of Chanukah remembers the story of Judah and the Maccabees’ victory against King Antiochus in which they reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem. When they wanted to light the Temple’s Menorah (7-branched candelabra), they only found oil supply for one day. Miraculously, the one-day supply of oil lasted for 8 days until they were able to prepare more oil. To remember this story, Jewish people all around the world will celebrate the 8 day festival of Chanukah in November/December. On each day of Chanukah, an extra candle is lit. Some years, Chanukah and other religions’ winter festivals occur around the same time which is why interfaith families, couples, or in this case flatmates may choose to share their traditions with each other.
- Hear from the donor
How does this image represent your Jewish identity?
Using my childhood Chanukiah in pride of place and alongside multicultural celebrations reflects how my Jewish identity includes participating in the secular world and its populations without losing sight of my traditions and background.
Why is this image important to you?
A reminder of how inclusive and accepting the multicultural world can be and how joyous my Jewish celebrations and identity are.
In three words, what does Judaism mean to you?
Family, Traditions, Identity
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