Happy Festival of Light. Pass me an oliebol.
So Amsterdam is back at having its annual Chanukah (also Hanukah, or Hanukkah, or Chanoeka) festival in its amazing Schouwburg. This Monday, December 14th, the fifth candle will be lighted on the magnificent stage of the Schouwburg, also known as the Dutch Royal Concert Hall. Although not really a well-advertised or even well-known event, for Dutch Jews this is a major happening. The Chanukah-Schouwburg tradition started well before WWII and after the war didn’t return 70 years later until 2015. This tradition brings together a mix of ‘Amsterdammers’ as well as others from all over Holland who no doubt will be singing classic 13th-century hymns like ‘Maoz-Tzur’ (Stronghold of Rock) and modern Israeli pop. All wrapped up by eating ‘sufganiot’ een ‘Chanoekalekkernij’ or delicious jelly donut-like calorie nightmare.
Amsterdamse Schouwburg
Which brings me to the oliebol. Why do the Dutch eat oliebollen right around the time of Chanukah – which is all about the miracle of a one-day supply of oil, lasting in a lamp for eight days? After the destruction of the 2nd Temple in Jerusalem by the Greek-Syrian oppressors, Jews returned and found a little bottle of oil left and lit the menorah inside to take a better view at the devastation. Low and behold, a miracle happened; the menorah burned for eight days straight. And so the ‘Chanukiah’ was born, the eight arm candelabra version of the seven arm Menorah candelabra.
Again, why do the Dutch eat oliebollen as well as ‘sufganiot’ around this time? There’s no direct link between the Dutch-Christian or Jewish kitchen. But there’s proof that sufganiot existed before the oliebol became popular. We know that the oliebol has no significant link to Christmas and that today one can buy both at the many stands throughout The Netherlands. Some believe that the origin of the oliebol is traceable to the Portuguese-Sephardic Jewish community which landed in Amsterdam around the late 16th and early 17th centuries, years before the Ashkenazi Jews arrived from Eastern Europe. Carefully Amsterdam allowed freedom of religion and Chanukah was celebrated openly. Could it have been that local population got a taste for the simple recipe of dough and oil?
Sufganiyot
In New York it’s easier to find signs of Chanukah which starts this Thursday night. You may find a super large Chanukiah standing near Central Park which is a fairly new tradition and started by the Lubavitch group (also know as Chabad), who want to share the light with everyone. You may even see a Chanukah-mobile, a van or pickup truck riding around with a giant Chanukiah on top. Don’t mind the enthusiastic volume level of Chanukah songs emerging from it. New York City has adopted Chanukah. It’s not hard to find a Chanukiah standing in restaurants, lobby’s and in apartment windows. All spreading the light. And light is what we all can use. Especially this year. So to you and your family peace and light this holiday season. Chanukah Sameach - Happy Chanukah en eet smakelijk.
By Jeroen Bours, CEO Darling Agency
December 8th, 2020
For the NLCLUB.NYC