When I was growing up and our neighbours were giddily anticipating Christmas, my Jewish siblings and I were anticipating Chanukah, the eight day Festival of Lights.
Chanukah celebrates several miracles that happened more than twenty centuries ago when a small band of Jews defeated one of the mightiest armies on earth. That victory was the first miracle. The second occurred when the triumphant little army tried to light the temple candelabra (menorah) with a small amount of olive oil. Instead of burning one night as expected, the menorah burned for eight straight days.
Why This Mom Is Making A Big Deal About Hannukkah
My brother and I were told this story every Chanukah as my mom lit our family menorah. We pretended to listen intently but we had two other miracles to focus on.
The first was that for eight days each of us was given a gift at the close of the candle lighting ceremony. I tried to concentrate on how brave my people were but visions of dolls and chanukah gelt (chocolate gold coins) danced in my young head.
Then there were the glorious potato latkes (potato pancakes) that my mother cooked for our family celebration. Chanukah customs include eating foods cooked in oil and my Jewish mother was renowned for her pancakes which were deep fried and fabulous. We stood around the stove as she worked her magic; we bickered about who would get the first glorious latke straight from the pan. All our friends begged for invitations to our Chanukah parties. No one was ever turned away.
With time my brother and I left the nest yet we always came back to celebrate Chanukah with our mother, now a loving Bubby (Jewish grandmother). As Bubby aged she could no longer prepare the full meal but the latke ritual remained hers alone. She had no recipe, she simply cooked by instinct. We grated the potatoes while she sat at the kitchen table and instructed us on how many eggs to add and how much flour. When it came to the salt we handed her the shaker, she eyeballed our mixture and added just the right amount.
When our lovely matriarch died at 94 she took that magic recipe with her. We've come close to replicating her latkes but somehow they never quite meet the standards that Bubby set. I believe that it was the love that she poured into anything she cooked for us that just can't ever be recreated.
Miss you, Mom!
Looking for holiday inspiration? Visit the YMC Holiday Guide to find everything from sweet treats and delicious dishes to DIY décor and favourite family movies. If it’s holiday related, you’ll find it here. 
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