HANUKKAH: THE HOLIDAY OF SELF-AFFIRMATION

Hanukkah menorah on the window sill: View through window to a swastika flag
The swastika in the background, Kiel 1932, photograph
© Bildarchiv Preußischer Kulturbesitz

The surprising triumph of a small force against an overwhelming army has been evoked again and again over the centuries to fortify the national and religious unity of the Jews. In times of repression, when the longing for heroes and miracles, for liberation and light was particularly strong, the Hanukkah story fulfilled an important symbolic function.

alternative Navigation To the first room of the exhibition: getting in the mood for the celebrations To the second room of the exhibition: the historical roots of Hanukkah To the third room of the exhibition: of the birth of a god and baby cribs: the beginnings of Christmas To the fourth room of the exhibition: how the main holiday rituals originated and what they mean Light the Hanukkah candles in the right order Hanukkah lamp, Bergen-Belsen, December 1945 To the sixth room of the exhibition: Christmas celebrations throughout the ages To the seventh room of the exhibition: Chrismukkah - or: how holidays unite