What roles did Reform rabbis Isaac Wise and Max Lilienthal play in Hanukkah’s modern popularity?

In the mid-19th century, Reform Judaism rabbis Isaac Wise and Max Lilienthal, based in Cincinnati, were instrumental in elevating Hanukkah from a minor observance to a prominent holiday in the United States.12

Recognizing that Christmas was particularly popular with children, the rabbis sought to make Hanukkah more engaging to boost synagogue participation. By recasting the festival as a fun and appealing celebration, they provided American Jewish families with a way to maintain a distinct Jewish identity while participating in the broader winter festivities occurring at the same time.12

This shift toward modern popularity began within Reform circles but soon spread to other branches of the tradition. As Christmas became increasingly commercialized in the early 20th century, these efforts helped establish parallel Jewish traditions, such as exchanging gifts, singing new songs, and using festive decorations, which remain central to the holiday's contemporary observance.12