Hanukkah in Harbin

This Fulbright experience is definitely full of firsts. After my first Thanksgiving abroad a few short weeks ago, I am not currently celebrating my first Hanukkah abroad. When packing my suitcases in July I didn’t spend much time thinking about how/ to what extent I wanted to practice Judaism in China. I didn’t pack a prayer book or my talit, or any other items to represent my Jewish heritage. Instead, I’ve mostly been practicing through my diet, i.e. avoiding pork and shellfish (not so easy). When holidays come around, I try and eat the special things I would at home—apples and honey on Rosh Hashannah, fasting on Yom Kippur… latkes on Hanukkah? I tried. This has been a Hanukkah of dealing with limited resources. Let me explain…

It all started when one of our classmates arranged a holiday party last weekend to give our Chinese roommate’s a taste of the holiday spirit before we all left. She also asked if some of us would be willing to explain how we celebrate our holidays with our families. Three or four people volunteered to speak about Christmas, and I realized that I really wanted to share Hanukkah with my classmates at CET. Coincidentally, the party fell on the very first night of Hanukkah, and I had no menorah and no candles… I managed to find birthday candles at our school supermarket and they fit perfectly into the holes of the cribbage board I brought from home, thus, my impromptu menorah was born! I have been using it quite successfully ever since, inviting different classmates to light candles with me every night.

Impromptu Hanukkah Menorah

My roommate ZL

My suite mate ZR

The night of the party, everyone was very quiet and respectful as I explained the story of Hanukkah and lit the candles. Many students, both Chinese and American, asked me questions about the tradition and thanked me for sharing. I didn’t really realize how little most people know about Judaism. I’m really glad we had the party. I’m not sure I would have done anything to celebrate if I couldn’t share the holiday with others.

Latkes you say? Oh yes, I was naturally craving latkes on Hanukkah, but with final exams coming up, I was unwilling to spend all the effort to make them myself. Instead, I went to the local Carrefore and purchased applesauce and the closest thing I could find to sour cream (yoghurt), then invited some friends out for potato pancakes. I asked the cook if he could add some onions to the potatoes, and with applesauce on top, they tasted excellent (the yoghurt was nasty and not at all like sour cream). My friends had fun eating with me.

I have to wrap this up. I have my very last final in 20 minutes. My bags are mostly packed and I’m nervous and excited to move on to the next phase in my project. I’ll have a lot to do in a short amount of time after arriving in Xi’an, so please send your love and support my way!! Missing all of you!