Hanukkah & Dongzhi Festival Toronto Networking Dinner for Chinese and Jews

Join us for a fun evening of networking and celebrating Chinese and Jewish culture on December 26th at our Hannukah & Dongzhi Festival Networking Dinner!

Location: TBD (will be sent out to attendees in an email a few days before the event)

The Sino-Semitic Alliance is an organization that hosts cultural and networking events for Chinese and Jewish Canadians. Through these events, we aim to help our attendees develop their careers, whether it be with looking for mentors, obtaining industry advice, looking for clients for their small businesses/startups, or breaking into a new industry. We also aim to increase inter-cultural understanding and relations between Chinese and Jewish Canadians.

The Sino-Semitic Alliance will be hosting a networking event at a Chinese restaurant on Thursday December 26th (Boxing Day) to celebrate both the Jewish festival of Hanukkah and the Chinese Dongzhi (winter solstice) Festival from 6:30-9:00pm.

We hope you enjoy our networking event!

NOTE: The date may be subject to change based on the availability of the organizers.

ABOUT HANUKKAH

Hanukkah, perhaps the most well-known Jewish festival, is an 8-day festival commemorating the recapture of Jerusalem from the Seleucid Empire and the rededicating of the Jewish Second Temple to God in 164 BCE. It traditionally takes place on the 25th day of the month of Kislev, which varies from late November to late December each year. This year, Hanukkah will be taking place from Wednesday December 25th to Thursday January 2nd.

Almost two centuries earlier, Alexander the Great had conquered much of the ancient world, including Israel, which was previously under Persian rule. Shortly after, his empire was divided among his generals into several successor states, with the Seleucid Empire ruling over Israel. The Seleucids were relatively tolerant of the Jews until Antiochus IV Epiphanes ascended to the throne in 167 BCE and tried to forcibly introduce Greek worship into the Jewish Second Temple.

This led to the Macabbean Revolt, where Jewish rebels took over a large portion of Israel and established their own kingdom. When they recaptured Jerusalem and rededicated the temple, they planned on relighting the liturgical candles, but only found enough oil to last one day. However, the oil miraculously lasted for eight days, until they were able to make more oil.

The success of the Maccabean Revolt and the miracle of the candles led to the institution of the festival of Hanukkah to commemorate these events. The festival traditionally lasts eight days, to commemorate the eight days that the candles burned for. During the festival, Jews traditionally light one candle or lamp on each day, with these candles often being combined in a menorah.

It is also somewhat of a tradition for secular Jews to eat at Chinese restaurants during Hanukkah, as it often falls around the same time as Christmas, when Christians traditionally close their businesses. Since some Chinese people are not Christian, many of their restaurants remain open during Hanukkah.

Photo credit for photo above: ,

ABOUT THE DONGZHI FESTIVAL

The Dongzhi Festival is a Chinese festival celebrating the Winter Solstice, usually taking place between December 21 and 23. This year, it will take place on Saturday December 21. The festival originated during the Zhou Dynasty (1045-256 BCE).

The Dongzhi Festival celebrates the fact that after the winter solstice, the length of each day gradually lengthens. This is symbolic of the Chinese belief in yin-yang, with yang singifying positive energy, and being physically represented by light. Thus, the Dongzhi Festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and an increase in positivity.

The Dongzhi Festival is usually celebrated by families meeting together and eating specific foods associated with the festival, such as tangyuan (glutinous rice) balls, and winter solstice dumplings. Tangyuan, a desert made from sticky rice, represents reunion, and winter solstice dumplings are a hot food meant to provide relief from the cold.

LOGISTICAL INFORMATION

If you're driving, it may be difficult to find a dedicated parking space downtown - you may need to pay for underground parking. Downtown Toronto is also accessible via the TTC subway or by GO train.

As this is a networking event, make sure to bring business cards if you have any, or have your LinkedIn QR code ready!

The dress code for this event will be business casual. Alternatively, you can wear traditional cultural attire.

Note that, as this will take place at a Chinese restaurant, food costs will be likely be split evenly with your table, depending on the setup of the restaurant. Any drink costs will be borne individually.

If you are planning on making a donation through the Eventbrite page, please make sure to register for a Regular Ticket as well if you are planning on attending the event.

For any questions, feel free to email us at [email protected].

Don't miss out on this exciting event - mark your calendars and get ready to mingle!

Host or Publisher Sino-Semitic Alliance