What's Happening?
NPR's 'Hanukkah Lights 2025' is a special series that continues the tradition of celebrating Hanukkah through storytelling. This year, the series honors the memory of Susan Stamberg, who, along with Murray Horwitz, has been sharing stories about family, faith, and community since 1990. The series includes a variety of stories that reflect on the holiday's significance. One notable story, 'Hanukkah at Tiffany’s' by Lesléa Newman, features a young Jewish girl named Malka who decides to change her name to Tiffany, sparking a touching narrative about family heritage. Other stories in the series include 'The Loudest Voice' by Grace Paley, about a Jewish girl chosen to narrate her school's Christmas pageant, and 'Lotte Returns!' by Aryeh Lev Stollman,
which tells the tale of a 100-year-old opera singer facing her final audience.
Why It's Important?
The 'Hanukkah Lights 2025' series is significant as it continues a long-standing tradition of using storytelling to explore and celebrate Jewish culture and heritage. By honoring Susan Stamberg's contributions, the series not only pays tribute to her legacy but also reinforces the importance of cultural narratives in preserving and understanding community values. These stories offer listeners a chance to reflect on themes of identity, tradition, and the meaning of Hanukkah, providing a platform for cultural expression and education. The series also highlights the role of public media in fostering cultural appreciation and dialogue.
