Hanukkah with Noam Kehimkar

Ted Rogers School of Management student Noam Kehimkar is Vice President of Marketing for Hillel TMU (external link, opens in new window) , a dynamic organization that aims to enrich campus life and create leadership opportunities for the Jewish student community at TMU.

Here she highlights her family’s special Hanukkah traditions, plans for celebrating this year and some of her favourite dishes to enjoy over the holiday.

How do you describe Hanukkah to those who aren't familiar with this religious holiday?

Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday that usually falls around winter and is also known as the “festival of lights.” Hanukkah is celebrated by lighting a menorah every night accompanied by saying a few prayers. During the holiday, special fried foods are also enjoyed, such as latkes and sufganiyot. Gifts can also be given during this eight-day holiday, and many fun and competitive games are played as well.

What do you wish others knew about this holiday?

There is no one right way to spell Hanukkah. Some people choose to spell it starting with an H and some people spell it with a CH. I am sure there are some other variations I am missing. 

Can you tell us a bit about your Hanukkah plans this year?

This year for Hannukah, my family and I have many Hanukkah parties lined up, including the one we host every year. This year, I also hope to try out some new recipes, attempt making sufganiyot (external link, opens in new window)  on my own and give my family members some presents I know they have been eyeing for some time now.

Do you have a favourite Hanukkah tradition?

My favourite Hanukkah tradition would be singing the Hanukkah prayers along with my family members while lighting the Hanukkiah. This year, I also look forward to attending and helping my family host Hanukkah parties as it is a really nice way to break up the work week, see family and friends and enjoy some delicious food with them. 

Will you be starting any new traditions this year?

My family’s Hanukkah tradition has always been to light one Hanukkiah and take turns with my family members on who lights the Hanukkiah each night based on age. Over the years, my family has bought and been gifted new Hanukkiahs and has built a nice collection of them. I think this year my family might assign a Hanukkiah to each family member and allow them to light their own instead of only lighting one. 

What’s your favourite Hanukkah dish?

Hanukkah has some great dishes but I would have to say my favourite dish is latkes. Latkes are fried potatoes and onions in the form of a pancake which is usually enjoyed with applesauce or sour cream.  

Over the past several years many of us have had holiday plans sidetracked by the pandemic. Was this your experience? 

Due to the pandemic, Hanukkah did not feel the same. Many people were not able to enjoy the holidays to the same extent with their families and friends. The pandemic resulted in many in-person gatherings being cancelled and some people chose to celebrate over zoom. To try and overcome the isolating feeling the pandemic caused, my family chose to share pictures with our extended family members of how we celebrated Hanukkah and even lit the Hanukkah candles over a video call with some of our family and friends.  

Would you like to share some encouraging words or wishes with the community?

Happy Hanukkah to all those celebrating and Happy Holidays to all!