Rita Detweiler, Senior
Christmas is the most popular holiday when December 1st rolls in, however, it is not the only holiday that is celebrated this month. Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish celebration that begins on the 25th of Kislev, also known as December 2nd. The holiday goes all the way through to December 10th and it’s memorable lights earned the event the name “Festival of Lights”. Hanukkah celebrates the victory against the Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Second Temple in Jerusalem. When the Jewish had taken back their temple, they lit the menorah with the little olive oil that was left untouched from the Greeks. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days which now symbolizes the eight-day celebration.
The Menorah, also known as hanukiah, is a candelabrum with seven branches that are meant to burning every night similar to the night the temple was reclaimed. Special blessings are recited before the Menorah is lit and traditional songs are sung afterward. After sundown another candle is lit, the ninth candle, shamash (helper or attendent), is used to light the other candles. In an allusion to the holiday miracle, traditional Hanukkah foods are fried in oil for the holiday. Potato pancakes, known as latkes, and sufganiyot, a jam-filled donut, are popular foods that are eaten during the celebration. As for other traditions, there are four-sided tops called dreidels that children will play with and gifts are exchanged. Often it is Chanukah gelt, which rewards positive behavior and this tradition had created the phenomenon of chocolate coins.
Events celebrating Hanukkah will be happening close to our area this year, such as the Please Touch Museum on December 29th. The event has free admission and will feature a klezmer performance from the West Philadelphia Orchestra. The Franklin Square’s annual holiday event will include their first Hanukkah celebration on December 23 at 5:30 pm. The National Museum of Jewish History will be open on Christmas Day with a daylong event called “Being ___ at Christmas”. This event is created to encourage people to spend Christmas day any way they see fit. No matter the holiday, Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, celebrate this month of happiness in any style you desire.
Credit goes to History.com and Chabad.org for the useful information regarding Hanukkah history and traditions. Chabad.org is the largest Jewish information website with plenty of information to feed your curiosity. The sources have more information about this impactful holiday for any readers that still hold questions. However, learning about this holiday doesn’t stop at learning about history. Around the world, iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Brandenburg Gate, and the Kremlin will have large menorahs displayed. Be sure to look out for more events as the celebration continues!
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