Hanukkah is an enchanting and joyous occasion when Jewish communities gather to celebrate the Festival of Lights. This eight-day holiday is steeped in custom and tradition, with activities such as lighting the menorah, playing with dreidels, and indulging in scrumptious dishes. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most popular Hanukkah traditions and food ideas you can serve your loved ones. And don’t forget, you still have time to place your Hanukkah order with Catering by Michaels (more on that later!)

But First, Some History

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Spring Holiday Catering

With winter (mostly) in our collective rear-view mirrors, it’s time to turn our attention to the renewal of spring! Comfort foods—rich and heavy like a cozy blanket—cede the plate to the fresh promise of new, seasonal flavors.

And like the new season, the spring holidays of Passover and Easter celebrate new beginnings and bring together friends and family around the table.

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The Jewish New Year traditionally kicks off in Fall with Rosh Hashanah, which translates from Hebrew to “Head of the New Year.” Marking the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, Rosh Hashanah comprises the first two days of a 10-day period of prayer, repentance, and charity in Judaism.

The holiday takes place at the beginning of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. Because the Hebrew calendar measures months based on the lunar cycle and years in correspondence to the solar cycle, the celebrations slide around on the secular calendar but usually occur between September and October.

This year (2022) it will start on September 25 at sundown and concludes Tuesday, September 27 at sundown..

Rosh Hashanah serves as the first of the “Ten Days of Repentance”, which marks man’s first sin and his repentance. The Ten Days of Repentance begin with Rosh Hashanah and end in celebration with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

Some of the customs that take place during Rosh Hashanah include:

• Sounding the shofar, which is to alert listeners of the coming judgment
• Eating a round challah, which symbolizes the circle of life
• Eating apples dipped in honey to usher in a sweet New Year
• Eating of pomegranate to bring a year full of mitzvot and good deeds

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Passover is an important holiday filled with celebration, family, and, of course, delicious food. Hosting Passover can require a lot of preparation and time in the kitchen. And extra time is a precious commodity that few of us have. Instead of stressing over the menu and spending all day prepping and cooking, let us take care of this celebratory meal for you!

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In uncertain times, we rely on tradition and the natural rhythms of life to provide meaning and stability. While the current challenges we face are real, we need to remember they are temporary. We are part of a larger whole—a long continuum—which provides perspective and comfort. Celebrating holidays helps us to stay connected to this whole, and helps us navigate difficult times.

Yom Kippur marks the culmination of the 10 Days of Awe. In the Jewish tradition, this is a period of introspection and repentance. It follows the Jewish new year, Rosh Hashanah, and is the time when God decides each person’s fate. It’s a time when Jews are encouraged to ask forgiveness for sins committed during the past year and make amends. It’s a time of fasting followed by a “breaking of the fast” meal.

Catering by Michaels is humbled to be a part of your Yom Kippur observances.

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