Explore fascinating facts about Chanukah, the Festival of Lights! Its history includes a Jewish civil war, assassinations, bribery, conspiracies, sex, heroes, heroines, kings, and queens. View artistic interpretations of the holiday’s personalities by Titian, Rubens, Caravaggio, Klimt, Botticelli, and more.

Guest lecturer Ellaine Rosen will dispel popular Chanukah myths and misconceptions by exposing the true origins of gelt, latkes, dreidels, and the miraculous cruse of oil. Investigate the evolution of the Chanukiah, the Chanukah lamp, and the varied styles which reflect the architecture of the countries in which they were crafted. Discover a lesser-known reason for the eight-day celebration, and how the celebration of Chanukah was affected by Christmas.

Ellaine Rosen has taught and lectured on Jewish history, Jewish art, the Holocaust, and secular art for over sixty years. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Columbia University, a Bachelor of Religious Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, a Master of Education from Harvard University, and successfully completed all coursework for a PhD (except the dissertation) in Judaic Studies, Religion, and Art History from the University of Pittsburgh. She is happily married to her husband of 59 years. They have two daughters and five grandsons. She currently resides in Naples, Florida where she is a docent at the Holocaust Museum as well as The Naples Art Association.

This is a Zoom program. Please see the Zoom link in your order confirmation.