But many religious scholars complain that Chanukah but a holiday that celebrates a victory over forced assimilation, is wrongly considered a Jewish Christmas. Many American Jews end up creating traditions of giving around Chanukah, but a flood of gifts is not considered a traditional way of celebrating the holiday. Chanukah is introduced in America as an alternative holiday, with traditions that are superficially very similar to the traditions surrounding Christmas. If you are one of the many Gentiles who inadvertently classify Chanukah as the Jewish Christmas, you are not alone. Dive into our pagans’ guide to Chanukah to learn more about how to honor the history of this holiday without making it a shadow of Christmas past or present. 5 reasons why Chanukah is not a Jewish Christmas 1. Chanukah is probably the Jewish holiday that most Gentiles know about. Because Chanukah follows the Jewish calendar, it can sometimes be much earlier than Christmas. Although it commemorates a special event and an important chapter in Jewish history, it is not considered a spiritual holiday. American Jewish communities that are willing to decorate with Christmas kitsch and shop until the culture is abandoned can be a sign of choice to embrace modern traditions rather than a rising tide of assimilation. Although there was only enough oil for one day, the lamp continued to burn for eight days, giving rise to the Menorah tradition and the story of the miracle behind Chanukah. Both Chanukah and Christmas are marked by messages of hope and wonder, a time of wonder designed to bring families together. In contrast, Jewish calendar events such as Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur are considered sacred days with spiritual traditions deeply rooted in the Jewish community. In fact, Chanukah is not even considered a major holiday. Chanukah is often associated with Christmas simply because of time constraints, but this does not always correspond exactly.