The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah (or Chanukah) is also known as the Festival of Lights. This eight-day celebration commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after Judah Maccabee and his army of farmers' victory over the Syrian-Greeks. We all have heard the miracle of the oil lasting 8 days when there was only enough to really last for one, but did you know that Hanukkah is filled with other miracles too, large and small many miracles are part of the Jewish faith. Click here to learn more about the miracle.
Fill your 8 days of Hanukkah with memories and delicious recipes this year. Use our Hanukkah Bucket List to make sure you fill your 8 days of celebrating with as many activities as you can.
Hanukkah Traditions
- Lighting the menorah: When the Jews attempted to re-dedicate and purify the temple, there was one small jug of oil - only enough to burn for one night. The oil lasted 8 nights -the miracle of Hanukkah! Every year it is customary to commemorate the miracle of the Hanukkah oil by lighting candles on menorah. The Hanukkah menorah is lit every night for eight nights. Here are a couple other Menorah ideas to add to this year.
- Playing dreidel: The dreidel is a four-sided top with Hebrew letters written on each side. Each letter calls for a different action. The game is played with chocolate coins covered with tin foil (Gelt), or pretzel sticks, raisins, or whatever you like. Hanukkah isn't complete without spinning the dreidel and playing this game!
- Eating fried foods: Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of oil, it is traditional to eat fried foods such as latkes and jelly donuts during the holiday. Latkes are pancakes made out of potatoes and onions, which are fried in oil. They can stink of the kitchen and take a while to make, but they are worth it.
- Decorate: The kids love to decorate the house. Every year bring out the family traditions and homemade crafts are fun and remembering the story behind the crafts are always a highlight.
- Read Holiday Books: There are a lot of Hanukkah books out there. Here is our list 6 Books About Hanukkah For Kids
