December 19, 2025

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Happy Hanukkah to all those who celebrate! Today we’re shining light on stories from the Atlas about this most treasured festival of lights.

-Holyn Thigpen, AO Community Editor

How a Black-Jewish Historian Crafts a Hanukkah Meal

Michael Twitty, a Black-Jewish culinary historian, likes to add dishes such as Louisiana-style beignets and West African fritters to his annual Hanukkah menu. Twitty sees making fusion dishes during the festival of light as a way to show the Jewish and African diasporas’ deep connections. In his book, “Koshersoul,” Twitty traces this coexistence across history, from the ancient Beta-Israel community of Ethiopian Jews, to early Sephardic Jews who found refuge from the Inquisition in an Afro-Brazilian settlement.

PASTRAMI EGG ROLLS, ANYONE? →

Happy Hanukkah!

Why does this menorah have Lady Liberty on its branches? — Coming to America
AO readers share their families’ unique holiday heirlooms — Ft. a majestic moose menorah
For nearly 80 years, UChicago students and staff have debated the ultimate Jewish holiday dish — Latkes vs. hamantashen

SPONSORED BY ENJOY ILLINOIS

Get Your Kicks on the Quirkiest Stretch of Route 66

There’s no road more iconic, or more delightfully odd, than Route 66. In Illinois, the Mother Road starts in downtown Chicago and winds 301 miles through a landscape of neon nostalgia and pure Americana. Meet two lovestruck Cozy Dogs in Springfield, hunt for treasures at the Pink Elephant Antique Mall, and crane your neck at the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle in Collinsville. Along the way, you’ll discover historic diners, quirky museums, and more than one monument to Abraham Lincoln.

HIT THE HIGHWAY →

Place of the Day

LOS GLACIARES NATIONAL PARK, ARGENTINA

Perito Moreno Glacier

Perito Moreno ain’t your average glacier. It’s 19 miles long, 240 feet high (above water), and—miraculously—it’s still growing. Part of Argentina’s Austral Andes, which includes the third largest reserve of fresh water in the world, the glacier became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981. Visitors can get up close and personal with this gentle giant on walking paths, trekking tours, or even a boat ride around the base.

MEET THE FROZEN ONE →

Finding America’s Soul in Georgia’s Heartland

SPONSORED BY DESTINATION AUGUSTA

Black History Lives in Augusta

Augusta may be known for hosting the Masters tournament each spring, but its historical and cultural institutions make it a lesser-known yet compelling destination. This Georgia city is home to the oldest African-American congregation, a renowned Black history museum, and the Augusta Museum of History, where you can learn about James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, and more. Augusta’s varied destinations and welcoming atmosphere make it a magnetic destination year-round.

STEP INTO GEORGIA’S HISTORY →

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