Hanukkah - December

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a joyous Jewish holiday that spans eight nights and days, commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. This celebration, rich in history and tradition, typically falls in December, though its exact dates vary according to the Hebrew calendar.

At the heart of Hanukkah is the lighting of the menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum. Each night, an additional candle is lit by the shamash, the helper candle, until all eight candles are aglow, symbolizing the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days in the temple's menorah, despite there being only enough for one.

Hanukkah is a time of family gatherings, games, and songs. Children play with dreidels, four-sided spinning tops marked with Hebrew letters, and enjoy treats like chocolate coins known as gelt. Traditional foods, often fried in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts), are savored, connecting the culinary traditions to the oil miracle.

Gift-giving has become a modern addition to Hanukkah, with families exchanging presents each night. This practice, while not originally part of the festival, has gained popularity, especially in cultures where Hanukkah coincides with other gift-giving holidays.

Hanukkah is a celebration of resilience and faith, a reminder of the enduring spirit of the Jewish people and the light that shines in the face of adversity.

In 2025 Hanukkah lasts from sunset, 14 December to nightfall, 22 December.