While Christmas tends to be a rather ostentatious holiday involving public outings of Christmas tree-shopping and neighborhood light-strolling, Hanukkah is typically a more private affair and celebrated inside the home—and not given the same cultural clout as the Santa counterpart. But there’s nothing we love more than the Festival of Lights, so in the interest of celebration, we are shedding light on how seven of our favorite vegan Jewish celebrities and entrepreneurs observe this joyous, eight-day holiday.
View this post on Instagram
1. Isa Chandra Moskowitz
Moskowitz burst onto the vegan cookbook scene well before it was considered “cool” with her inaugural work, Vegan with a Vengeance. Since then, she’s produced ten additional books—and many contain recipes that harken back to her Jewish roots. We make her sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts) from The Superfun Times Vegan Holiday Cookbook every year.
View this post on Instagram
2. Peter Singer
This iconic utilitarian philosopher (and famed author of the iconic Animal Liberation) is inherently atheist, but if offered, we doubt he’d turn down a loaf of piping hot vegan challah. Word has it that Singer is a wild mushroom-gathering enthusiast, which makes us wonder if he adds the fungi to his latkes, too. A little rescued birdie also told us that Singer is good pals with Moskowitz; we’re waiting on our invitation to their Hanukkah celebration.
View this post on Instagram
3. Mayim Bialik
The Big Bang Theory fans know her as Amy, but what some may not know is that she wasn’t chowing down on beef and broccoli during those Chinese takeout scenes. Bialik is a long-time vegan and has even authored her own cookbook—which contains multiple latke recipes. One can safely assume she’s indulging in her fair share of potato pancakes come the Festival of Lights.
View this post on Instagram
4. Alicia Silverstone
This plant-based actress, author, entrepreneur, and mom celebrates both Hanukkah and Christmas. Like Bialik, she’s also a latke-lover and has her own cookbook. Find Silverstone’s preferred savory pancake recipe on her blog, The Kind Life, for Latkes Two Ways.
View this post on Instagram
5. Megan Tucker
While Tucker might not be a household name, those who have experienced her vegan Jewish deli pop-up, Mort and Betty’s, are huge fans. Los Angelenos of all backgrounds are waiting on her next appearance, hoping to celebrate at least one Hanukkah morning with her cravable customized bagels—you know we’re piling on the carrot lox.
View this post on Instagram
6. Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz
Named one of America’s Top Rabbis by Newsweek and one of the 50 Most Influential Jews by The Forward, we’re proud to have Rabbi Yanklowitz on the vegan team. He has penned seventeen books on Jewish ethics and repeatedly advocates for the vegan lifestyle. We’re gifting his work, The Jewish Vegan, to all of our omnivore friends and family this Hanukkah.
View this post on Instagram
7. Natalie Portman
The Academy Award-winning actress was in the spotlight last year within the Jewish community. Despite controversy over her decision to not attend the Genesis Prize ceremony that same year, she still holds her faith dear. She appeared in a PETA campaign in 2018 paying tribute to Bashevis Singer for his activism. We’d love to be a fly on the wall of her Hanukkah table.
Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and fitness enthusiast living in Orange County, CA.
JUMP TO ... Latest News | Recipes | Guides | Health | Shop
%20Vegans%20We%20Want%20to%20Celebrate%20Hanukkah%20With ){kind=link}