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Kosher gift baskets make an excellent Hanukkah gift

In contemporary Israel, Hanukkah is a national holiday, and students present plays, sing holiday songs, and have parties. Schools are closed, and menorahs are displayed atop such prominent buildings as the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. A highlight of the eight-day festival is an annual relay from Modi'in to Jerusalem. Runners carry burning torches through the streets beginning in Modi'in. The runners continue until the final torchbearer arrives at the Western Wall, which is the last remnant of the Temple. The torchbearer hands the torch to the chief rabbi, who uses it to light the first candle of a giant menorah. The Hanukkah observance is also characterized by the daily reading of Scripture, recitation of some of the Psalms, almsgiving, and singing of a special hymn. Along with the daily prayers, thanks are offered to God for delivering the strong into the hands of the weak and the evil into the hands of the good.

There are also a number of nonreligious customs associated with Hanukkah. Potato pancakes (latkes), doughnuts (sufganiyot), and other treats fried in oil, which recall the miracle of the oil, are popular. Children receive presents and gifts of money (Hanukkah gelt), which is sometimes distributed in the form of chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil. Card playing is common, and children play a game with a four-sided top called a dreidel (Hebrew sevivon). On each side of the top is a Hebrew letter, which forms the initials of the words in the phrase nes gadol haya sham, meaning “a great miracle happened there.” In modern Israel the letters of the dreidel were changed to reflect the translation “a great miracle happened here.”

In countries where Christmas rituals are widespread, some echoes of those rituals appear in Hanukkah celebrations. Some families, for example, exchange gifts or decorate their homes. The word Hanukkah in Hebrew also means “education,” and rabbis and Jewish educators try to instill in their congregants and students the notion that the holiday celebrates Jewish strengths, perseverance, and continuity.ukah

Hanukkah Gift baskets are a very thoughtful way to remember special people in your life. Whether you send out a lot of baskets around the holidays to clients or mark special occasions among your friends and family, you do not want to undercut your efforts by sending a basket that is inappropriate or offensive. This is a situation in which it pays to know your audience. It is estimated that 25-30% of all Jews in the US keep kosher to some extent. Many Muslims, vegetarians, Seventh Day Adventists and health enthusiasts also follow kosher dietary restrictions. Don’t let this discourage you from sending food basket. You can send a great kosher gift basket and your recipient will greatly appreciate the extra effort.

You do not need to be a rabbinical scholar to select a kosher gift basket. Do a little research and find a gift basket vendor that can certify that their baskets are indeed kosher. Luckily there are several different organizations that inspect and certify food as kosher and use specific symbols. The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations (OU) and The Organized Kashrus Laboratories (OK) are both reputable organizations that provide such certifications. Vendors should also indicate whether baskets are meat, dairy or parve—which means that the food can be eaten with either meat or dairy. This kind of guarantee will reassure your kosher gift basket recipients that they can safely eat the contents without violating important religious or cultural restrictions.

There are a wide variety of kosher gift basket options available. From a basket of smoked salmon, cheese and bagels to kosher chocolate mosaic, you can find delicious treats guaranteed to wow. For a really unique kosher treat, consider an assortment of New York deli hot dogs complete with all the trimmings and a hot dog grill. A collection of kosher wines is a special way to show you care. Some baskets contain gourmet products from Israel. There is truly no shortage of delectable certified kosher gift baskets available.

With a little research you can find wonderful kosher gift baskets. When you go to the time and expense of creating a kosher gift basket, you want to make sure that your recipient will actually use all the products you include. Luckily, there are many vendors that will certify their products with reputable organizations. Fun and delicious kosher gift baskets are just a click away. The fact that you sent a gift basket shows that you are thoughtful. When you go the extra mile to make sure it is a truly kosher one, you show that you are respectful and considerate as well.