Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam The Battle Over Jewish Identity: A Hanukkah Conversation with Sarah Hurwitz (Part 1)
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Dec 3, 2025 Sarah Hurwitz, a former speechwriter for Michelle Obama and author, joins Mijal for an insightful talk about Hanukkah's deeper meanings. They dive into the complex history of the Maccabees and discuss how the holiday’s themes reflect modern identity struggles within the Jewish community. Sarah emphasizes the importance of inclusion while navigating communal values and critiques contemporary antisemitism. She encourages embracing Jewish history and practices to combat exclusionary pressures and proudly live one's Jewish identity.
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Childhood Hanukkah Memories
- Sarah Hurwitz recalls Hanukkah as dreidels, M&Ms, and gifts every night from her childhood.
- Her early memory lacked deep textual or historical engagement with the holiday.
The Complex Historical Core
- The grown-up Hanukkah story centers on Antiochus IV's anti-Jewish decrees and the Maccabees' guerrilla response.
- That conflict led to reclaiming the Temple and Jewish self-determination in Judea.
Why Rabbis Emphasized The Miracle
- Rabbis later emphasized the oil miracle and de-emphasized the violent intra-Jewish conflict.
- Interpretation shifted based on safety and theological priorities over centuries.
