WHY? ... JUST BECAUSE!

Brown stollen cake pan
Ceramic baking pan, baby in swaddling clothes, southern Germany 1801-1915

Who does the Dresdner Stollen look like and how is Hanukkah celebrated in space? Who decided that presents should be opened Christmas Eve, and what is the right way to light the Hanukkah candles?

Both holidays have multifarious customs. However, their meaning or origin has often sunk into oblivion. Here you can find out everything you always wanted to know about the holidays but never dared to ask.

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 Dreidel, presumably china, around 2004, Copyright: Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Jens Ziehe Light the Hanukkah candles in the right order To the fifth room of the exhibition: Hanukkah and the struggle against oppression To the sixth room of the exhibition: Christmas celebrations throughout the ages To the seventh room of the exhibition: Chrismukkah - or: how holidays unite