“The True Meaning of Hanukkah”: The Hanukkah story has become a symbol of Jewish resistance against a foreign culture, but was that always the story? In this course, we will explore the ancient foundations and modern resonances of the holiday of Hanukkah. With readings from the Book of Maccabees, Josephus, and the Talmud, through modern interpretations in literature, art, and politics, we will uncover how the meaning of Hanukkah has shifted over time and developed into a cultural fixture for both Zionism and Diaspora Jewry.