The Meaning of Chanukah December 2001 1 | 2 | 3 | NEXT For the second time in the past five years, the United States has issued a commemorative stamp marking the Jewish holiday of Chanukah. The first time Chanukah graced a U.S. postage stamp was in 1996, when the U.S. and Israel released a joint issue celebrating the holiday of Chanukah (Israel #1289, U.S. #3118). That stamp was not only the first U.S.- Israel joint issue, but it was Israel's first self-adhesive stamp (as well as the first time an Israel stamp was printed outside of the country). Chanukah is an eight-day holiday, which runs in 2001 from December 10 to 17. Since all holidays begin the evening before, the first candle will be lit on December 9. Each night another candle is lit (along with the shammus, or helper candle, used to light the other candles) For many the holiday of Chanukah has assumed significance as a symbol of religious freedom. For years, I voiced complaints when the United States Post Office issued stamps marking the Christian holiday of Christmas. I feel this practice violates the principle of church and state -- a bulwark of the freedom of religion. I am similarly troubled by the issuance of a U.S. stamp marking Chanukah, since the specter of state-sponsored religion plays such a significant role in the Chanukah story. Overcoming Extremism 1 | 2 | 3 | NEXT © 2001, J-Stamps/Murray Frost. All Rights Reserved. froststamps@yahoo.com