A Christmas Tree, A Channukah Menorah, and A Nativity Scene Walk Into The Bar

In this session, we’ll explore one of Channukah's most fascinating contradictions: a holiday rooted in resistance to assimilation that has become thoroughly woven into the fabric of the American winter season. How did the festival of anti-assimilation become a fixture of public squares and shopping malls?

Drawing on a surprising—and even entertaining—Supreme Court case about the Establishment Clause and public religious displays, we’ll investigate how American law, culture, and public ritual have shaped the way Channukah is understood and celebrated. Together, we’ll unpack the tensions between pirsumei nisa—publicizing the miracle—and the ways the miracle itself has been absorbed into a broader, often secular, holiday landscape.


Shira Michaeli (she/her) is fortunate to work in the devotional wrestling toward doing good, well within the Jewish nonprofit field. Shira holds degrees in Jewish Ethics and Human Rights from the Jewish Theological Seminary and Columbia University respectively, where she researched the utilization of religion as a political tool within liberal reproductive politics in America. As a research operations assistant at Rosov Consulting, Shira is thrilled to nerd out about Jewish qualitative data for a living.

When Shira isn’t co-working at Lehrhaus, you can find her running events for the Somerville Moishe House, accumulating craft supplies for her next project, and minyan hopping.

Who are these classes for?

Our classes are for everyone—whether you’re brand new to the topic or have been engaging with it for years, we encourage participation from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experience levels. Unless otherwise noted, no prior knowledge or experience is needed. Not sure if a class is for you? Email us at Learning@Lehr.haus!

Why are there tickets at different prices?

Our tickets utilize a Pay-What-You-Can model so attendees can pay a range of prices based on what they are able to pay to allow for greater accessibility. Please select the price point that feels right for you.

Can I eat during class?

While we do not serve food in the study, you are welcome to order and enjoy drinks during class and join us for a meal before or after class. We highly recommend making a reservation if you know you'll be dining with us. Visit www.lehr.haus/reservation to check availability and book a table.