Jewish Holidays

When does Chanukah occur?  View the Calendar of Jewish Holidays

Chanukah, meaning "dedication" in Hebrew, refers to the joyous eight-day celebration during which Jews commemorate the victory of the Macabees over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the subsequent liberation and "rededication" of the Temple in Jerusalem. The modern home celebration of Chanukah centers around the lighting of the chanukiah, a special menorah for Chanukah; unique foods, latkes and jelly doughnuts; and special songs and games.

 

Chanukah in Your Home

Chanukah at homeBlessings for each night - print them out or sing along with the recordings.

The Jewish Parent Page and Holiday Happenings - Creative was to observe the holiday for families with young children.

Give the most important gift of all: the gift of life. Donate a $10 bed net to Nothing But Nets to help stop the spread of malaria. Send an e-card, and find ideas for a more meaningful holiday.

8 Days of NFTY Values - Articles exploring each NFTY value and its connection to the festival of lights.

URJ Books & Music Chanukah selections - Music and books for all ages.

Temple Emanu-El of New York City shares creative ideas, a booklist, virtual game of dreidl and much more.

New! Light our virtual menorah

Cook Latkes - You can find a great recipe for potato pancakes on the Jewish Parent Page (PDF) but before cooking them, be sure to watch this quick video about fire safety when frying foods .

Who Invented Chanukah Gelt? - Theories tracing the Chanukah-gelt connection; when and why chocolate coins were first covered in gold foil; and more, plus recipes for Homemade Chocolate Truffle "Gelt," Potato Galette with Mushrooms, and Herbed Risotto Pancakes.

For teens: the gift of NFTY Convention! Give your high school teen the gift of Jewish belonging, of Jewish involvement, of music and friendship, of memories that will last a lifetime. Register your teen for this year's Convention, February 13-17, 2009 in Washington, D.C.

Chanukah at Your Synagogue

latkes Baz'man Hazeh: Chanukah Programs for the Adult Mind and Spirit (PDF) - A collection of synagogue- and home-based programs based on the themes and values of Chanukah for the purposes of study, governance, social action and ritual observance.

Ner Shel Tzedakah: A Chanukah Project - Devote the 6th night of Chanukah to learning about poverty and donate the value of the night's gifts to organizations that assist the poor.

Communicate! - Extensive program bank.

Family Education in Small Congregations (PDF) - A program for families to learn about the history of the holiday by collaborating on an illustrated time line and studying the texts from the Books of the Maccabees and the Talmud.

A Light Among the Nations - Commemorate Chanukah by taking action to address the climate change crisis. This nation-wide campaign is engaging the Jewish community in education, advocacy, and concrete action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Support Our Troops - Support Jewish military personnel serving in Iraq and elsewhere by sending cards and care packages for Chanukah.

Sustaining the Light: A Social Justice Program Guide for Chanukah - Social action program ideas for families, social action committees, youth groups and other synagogue groups.

Sacred Seasons celebration kits are a means of bringing joy and meaning to Jewish elders in residential settings.

 

From URJ Books & Music:
A Faithful Spirit
A Study Text Based on M’gillat Antiochus
By Benjamin Levy
A Faithful Spirit is based on a midrashic text, M’gillat Antiochus, which is traditionally read during Chanukah in Italian and Yemenite synagogues. This medieval midrash emphasizes an active, flexible faith that can be adapted to meet the needs of the times and circumstances, and deals with maintaining a Jewish identity while living in a non-Jewish world.
The December Dilemma  
Ah, Wonderful December!
Gain an understanding of the December holidays and begin to discuss their impact on your family.
Chanukah in America
By the 1920s, Christians were referring to Chanukah as the "Jewish Christmas." Learn how Jewish leadership responded.
The December Dilemma: Ease the Concerns By Defining the Role of the Non-Jew in Your Congregation
This is an opportunity to assure your interfaith households that the temple is a resource for welcome and support.
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Music and Multimedia  
Michelle Citrin's new video - Pass the Candle
From the performer of "Rosh Hashanah Girl" and "20 Things to Do with Matzah" comes an inspiring music video, just in time for Chanukah.
Songs for Chanukah!
What’s Chanukah without some Chanukah songs?
Chanukah or Hanukkah?
NPR program. Robert Siegel talks with Rabbi Daniel Zemel of Temple Micah in Washington, D.C. about Chanukah. They discuss the history of the festival of lights and its multiple transliterations in English.
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Congregational & Organizational Sites  
Recipes  
Chanukah Recipes from the NY Times
An archive of countless recipes and articles.
Chanukah: Celebrate with Food Allergies and Have Fun, Too! (PDF)
Activities to make Chanukah safe and fun for everyone!
Chocolate for Chanukah - why not?
Chanukah can be more than everyone’s fried favorites. Try these alternative Chanukah recipes and learn about their historical significance.
Search for Recipes
Temple Shaaray Tefila of New York City shares a recipe search engine by holiday.
Who Invented Chanukah Gelt?
Theories tracing the Chanukah-gelt connection; when and why chocolate coins were first covered in gold foil; and more. Recipes for Homemade Chocolate Truffle "Gelt," Potato Galette with Mushrooms, and Herbed Risotto Pancakes.
Articles  
Chag v’Chesed: Holiday Dvar Tzedek (PDF)
Rabbi David Ellenson reflects on his experience in El Salvador to draw a new connection to the Chanukah story.
A Think Piece About Chanukah - What If...?
An American Chanukah
One college student celebrates Chanukah with her family 3000 miles away and is reminded of the true meaning of the holiday.
Latkes are yummy and presents are fun, but are there ways I can make Chanukah more meaningful?
NFTYite, Jill Cogan asks, "Why does everyone emphasize Chanukah? It's not even in the Torah!" and offers ways to make it more meaningful.
Light the Candle of Righteousness on Chanukah
Peter Yarrow wrote, "And light one candle for those who are suffering." Here is a way to do this.
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Kids  
"Danger Dave" Comic Strip & Activity Guide
Holiday Happenings -- for parents and staff of the Union's Early Childhood Programs
Creative ways to celebrate and observe the holidays with young children.
The Jewish Parent Page
Great ideas for educating children about the Jewish holidays.
Chanukah Booklist (PDF)
Librarian Elizabeth Stabler of Temple Emanu-El in New York City shares this Chanukah booklist for all ages.
Chanukah Craft Projects
Decorations, homemade menorahs and more!
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Take Our Chanukah Polls  
Do you light a Chanukah menorah...
Do you plan on participating in a social action program or giving tzedakah to commemorate Chanukah?