While Hanukkah is a minor holiday in the Jewish Calendar, it has come to hold deep significance for Jews, particularly in the United States. The story of Hanukkah is typically summed up in a description of the surprise military victory in 165 BCE – a small army of Jews led by the Maccabees defeated the powerful Greek-Syrians – and the religious miracle of the oil used for rededication of the temple, which lasted for eight days despite being sufficient for only a single day of burning. Hanukkah has developed as a warm family-centric holiday focused on celebration of the miracle of the oil and Jewish self-preservation in face of powerful odds. Yet Hanukkah holds layers of meaning that go far beyond the traditional story. Examination of the holiday of Hanukkah from its ancient beginnings to the present offers a powerful view into the challenges Jews have faced over the centuries in remaining Jewish, especially in light of a perpetual status as a minority culture. This lecture will explore the historical origins, development, and contemporary impact of the Hanukkah holiday, particularly for American Jews.

Clifford Wilcox, Ph.D., is a historian who focuses on American intellectual and cultural history and Jewish Studies. His courses concentrate on the intersection of culture, ideas, politics, and religion in American history. He is Director of Education and Operations at Temple Beth Torah in Ventura, CA and has taught in the CLU FAB program since 2021. He holds a Ph.D. in American intellectual history from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50 years of age and older, seeking intellectual stimulation through university-level courses — without the pressure of grades — for the sake of learning and social engagement.

This lecture can be attended either virtually on Zoom or in-person at Cal Lutheran's Oxnard campus. It will also be recorded.