NEW YORK (PIX11) – It’s an “oy to the world” moment.
It’s a mashup of Christmas and the first night of Hanukkah. It happens about once every 20 years, and this year, it happened.
There’s even a nickname for this day “Chrismukkah.”
It’s only the fifth time since 1910 that the first night of Hanukkah falls on the same day as Christmas.
For many here at a public lighting of the menorah, it was cause for celebration.
This year’s celebration of the lighting of the menorah in Manhattan‘s Grand Army Plaza marks 50 years since the world‘s first public menorah was lit.
It is a time for dancing, singing, and joy.
Rabbi Joe Potasnik says the convergence of Hanukkah and Christmas is also a huge opportunity for interfaith families to celebrate traditions together.
“I can retain my identity, yet I can respect yours Potasnik, vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis, told PIX11 News. “We can share moments together and can recognize that we’re different and we’re the same, part of one human family,” he added.
At the 145th annual Midnight Mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Timothy Cardinal Dolan spoke about how both holidays are interested in light and God’s presence during dark times.
“Let there be light, God’s first words to us,” Dolan told those in attendance. “And Christmas, folks, is indeed a feast of light as is Hanukah,” the cardinal added.
Outside Saint Patrick’s cathedral and at the menorah lighting, Jews and Catholics said they welcomed Hanukah and Christmas on the same day, which won’t happen again until 2035.
“So many religions are based on the same fundamental truths,” Jamie Boston, a Catholic convert, told PIX11 News. “Be good to each other and practice what you preach more than anything,” she added.
“We still believe in the miracles that Hanukkah brought to us and for Christians and for people all over the world to get along with one another,” Kathy Gantz, a Jewish Manhattanite, told PIX11 News.
And there is one more convergence of festivals. Kwanzaa starts Thursday, a seven-day festival ending the same day as Hanukkah, January First.
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