As an aspiring Jew, I really enjoyed reading more on the ways we celebrate Hanukkah in America. While one might expect this book to be dry because its published by an academic press, it was anything but. I think people of many faiths could learn a lot from this book.

This is a meticulously researched academic exploration into how Chanukah in America has evolved from a minor rabbinical holiday to one which allows Jews to both fit in with the neighbors during their December celebrations and forge a new identity in a new land. It focuses on the emphasis of women and children leading the movement and how new traditions were formed.
With the recent rise of homeowners prominently decorating for many additional holidays in America both for secular and religious reasons, it’s a fascinating read. חנוכה שמח