Hanukkah: Not Christmas for Jews

While the two holidays fall in close proximity to each other and are celebrated in popular culture together, Hanukkah does not hold the religious significance for Jews that Christmas holds for Christians.

Each year, Hanukkah falls in close proximity or during Christmas according to the Hebrew calendar. Because of that, the two are celebrated side by side under the “Happy Holidays” moniker. But in terms of religious significance, Hanukkah doesn’t rank as high for Jews as Christmas ranks for Christians. “It’s hard to not make a big deal of out Hanukkah living in America, and I’m not sure it’s a bad thing,” said Rabbi Rhoda Silverman of Temple Emanuel in Reisterstown. “That’s not a problem for me as long as we don’t forget about everything else that makes us Jewish.” Jonathan Schwartz, senior aide to Baltimore County Council Chairwoman Vicki Almond and a member of Temple Emanuel, sees Hanukkah as having two roles in the lives of American Jews…

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New O's Logo, Uniforms in Time for the Holidays

Patch shares the Orioles new hats and jerseys for you to peruse before the holiday shopping season begins.

The Orioles are turning back the clock in 2012. No, they may not be the powerhouse club that took the field in the late 60s through the 70s. But the Orioles are leaning on their classic look for a new hat logo and a flashback alternate jersey. The club has returned to the cartoon bird hat—with a slight twist on the happy bird that perched on the players' lids in the 70s and 80s—and the ball club has added an alternate orange uniform. The team has altered its sleeve patches, too, adding one to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the opening of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. What do you think of the Orioles new hat logo and alternate uniform? TELL US IN THE COMMENTS ...

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Get Homegrown Holiday Meal Advice in Pikesville

What’s on your menu? Local markets offer everything from culinary tips to catering.

Rachael Ray has these spectacular food adventures on her show, $40 A Day. Well, it's the holidays. There's plenty of food to be cooked and recipes to be concocted for those chefs-in-training who just love to experiment. We all know someone like this. (Never  mention any names.) Instead of following the recipe, these "CITs" add, delete and over- or undercook potential palate-pleasers. I must admit I've done this a few times. (OK, more than a few times.) But this year, I promised myself it would be different. Maybe, just maybe, I would try not to special order at restaurants or get that Lucy McGillicuddy Ricardo gleam in my eye when I start to cook something in the kitchen. I ventured into the frozen, frigid air to spend a day in Pikesville …

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