The spiritual and political significance of Chanukah

Arthur Waskow, Director of Shalom Jewish Peace Center in Philadelphia, talks with Joel Gamon about Chanukah as both a religious and a political event. He traces the history of Chanukah, from the 100 BC Maccabee’s liberation of the Holy Temple from Syrian and Solukian Empires. Chanukah emerged from those events at the darkest time of the year. It means a re-dedication of the desecrated temple, and 8 days of light during the darkest part of winter. The program continues with Charles Bell reporting from a ceremonial lighting of the Menorah by Dean Hansell of the Jewish Peace Fellowship and Don Bustany of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. Don Bustany talks about the death of Alex Odeh (1944-1985), Arab-American anti-discrimination activist who was killed in a bombing at his office in Santa Ana, CA and was the first to light this ceremonial Menorah in 1984. Broadcast on KPFK 11 Dec. 1990.