IfNotNow Turns Hanukkah Into a Venn Diagram of Absurdity
How a Jewish holiday became a casualty of political spin, woke distortions, and blatant antisemitism
Ah, Hanukkah! A time to celebrate the miracle of light, resistance against oppression, and, apparently, for IfNotNow, an opportunity to craft Instagram venn diagrams that turn this beloved holiday into a bizarre political commentary. But this isn’t just cluelessness, it’s a disturbing attempt to reduce Hanukkah to a political weapon while embedding antisemitic undertones. Let’s break down their Instagram post and the layers of nonsense and hate wrapped up in it.
“Hanukkah is About Our Traditions… and Christmas?”
In their first image, they claim Hanukkah is about “our traditions” while simultaneously being “about Christmas.” Excuse me? Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday with its own rich history and meaning, entirely independent of any other holiday. The insistence on tying it to Christmas reeks of insecurity and an attempt to dilute Jewish identity. Framing Hanukkah as something that exists only in relation to Christianity strips it of its significance as a celebration of Jewish survival and resilience.
“A Beloved Holiday” or an “Overblown Response”?
Next, they tell us Hanukkah is both “a holiday beloved by many Jews” and “an overblown response to Christmas.” This flippant dismissal downplays the holiday’s historical importance and feels eerily similar to old tropes of minimizing Jewish tradition. Reducing Hanukkah to a “response” feeds into antisemitic ideas that Jewish practices only exist in reaction to the dominant culture.
Resistance vs. Religious Zealotry
IfNotNow then dives into the Hanukkah story, proclaiming it “honors resistance to oppressive regimes” but also “celebrates violent religious zealotry.” Let’s be clear: this framing feeds into classic antisemitic stereotypes of Jews as extremists. The Maccabees were fighting for their freedom against forced assimilation and religious persecution—a battle for survival, not “zealotry.” Labeling it this way is a direct attack on Jewish self-determination, wrapped up in progressive language.
“Hyping Up Hanukkah” as a Tool for Christian Hegemony?
Perhaps the most absurd take of all is the claim that “hyping up Hanukkah” either disrupts or reinforces “Christian hegemony.” According to IfNotNow, Jews celebrating their own holiday is either too loud or not loud enough. This kind of logic not only erases Jewish agency but also perpetuates the idea that Jewish traditions exist only in the shadow of Christian society. It’s antisemitic in its subtext, reducing Jewish identity to a reactionary force instead of recognizing its intrinsic value.
The Real Agenda: Turning Hanukkah Into a Political Soundbite
Finally, IfNotNow ties Hanukkah to their anti-Israel agenda, accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza and calling for solidarity against Trump’s return to power. By co-opting a Jewish holiday to push their narrative, they ignore the true meaning of Hanukkah—celebrating Jewish survival and resilience. Worse, they promote antisemitic tropes that align with their political messaging, framing Jewish history as something to be cynically exploited rather than honored.
Hanukkah Deserves Better
Hanukkah is not a political prop, nor is it a “response to Christmas.” It’s a celebration of Jewish strength, culture, and the enduring miracle of light in the face of darkness. Reducing it to a collection of venn diagrams and layering in antisemitic undertones does a disservice to its rich history and meaning. Chag sameach to all who celebrate, and let’s keep the focus on what Hanukkah truly represents: the miracle of survival, the joy of tradition, and the power of light to dispel even the deepest darkness.