Hanukkah- The Festival of Lights

Hanukkah, or Chanukah, is the Hebrew word for “dedication.” This Jewish Festival of Lights celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Syrian Greek army and the miracle that occurred when the menorah was lit and lasted eight full days despite having oil enough for only one day.

Dreidel A four-sided spinning top. Each side of the dreidel has a letter from the Hebrew alphabet. Menorah A nine-branched candelabrum. There are eight candles for each night of Hanukkah and a Shamash, helper candle. LatkesLuscious potato pancakes made out of grated potato, matzo meal or flour, and a binding ingredient.

A young boy lights a neon menorah — Photo by Bob Rosenberg licensed CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

How Do We Celebrate Hanukkah?

Hanukkah is celebrated in the home by lighting the menorah or hanukkiah--a candelabrum that has space for nine candles--eight candles for each night, plus the Shamash (helper), which is used to light the other candles. Each night of Hanukkah add one additional candle, so by the end you have nine candles lit! Some families encourage every family member to light their own menorah, so the room is aglow with light. Many families play dreidel (a top with meaningful symbols), eating special foods unique to Hanukkah (mostly fried!), singing songs, and exchanging gifts. Traditional foods include latkes (luscious potato pancakes), jelly donuts, and chocolate gelt, or chocolate wrapped in gold foil to look like coins.