T he first time Canada Post unveiled a stamp for Hanukkah, in 2017, the cov- ers and booklets were hastily recalled due to “a design issue” surrounding a prominent yellow star—which was unfortunately remin- iscent of badges forced upon Jewish people by antisemitic regimes throughout history. Rabbi Reuven Bulka of Ottawa’s Congregation Machzikei Hadas was enlisted to prevent future debacles, and he served as consultant until his death in 2021. The role was handed to Rabbi Lisa Grushcow of Montreal’s Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom: her supervision of designer Hélène L’Heureux and illustrator Stephanie Carter included ensuring that the colours of the candles weren’t mistaken for Christmas, that letters on the dreidel appear in the correct order, and to explain that the pomegranates in the original sketch were more synonymous with Rosh Hashanah. (Grapes appear on the stamp instead.) A year after she approved the 2023 design, Gruschcow sees additional resonance in picturing an Israeli sufganiyah , and dove and olive branch symbols of peace—during a holiday that celebrates winning a war. “Ha- nukkah is really a Rorschach test that can be experienced differently each year depending on who we are, where we are, and what’s happening around us,” she says. “The letters on the dreidel note the miracle happened in Israel, at a time when we’re acutely aware of not being there. And yet all of our stories are so intertwined.” Am Yisrael Chai! Miracles in your mailbox
The eight nights of Hanukkah begin on the evening of Dec. 7, 2023.
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