Families worldwide gather each year to celebrate Hanukkah. This eight-day-long holiday, rich in history and tradition, is actually considered one of the more minor Jewish holidays, but some families celebrate it with enthusiasm to honor its distinct cultural importance and give children a memorable holiday experience.
Against the backdrop of the Oct. 7 attack in Israel, this year's Hanukkah celebrations take on added significance for many Jewish families. In the wake of ongoing challenges and the rise of anti-Semitism, it's especially meaningful to remember Hanukkah is a holiday that celebrates light, unity, resilience, and hope.
Whether or not you are Jewish, take the opportunity this Hanukkah to come together to celebrate, share in the joy, and embrace the diversity of traditions that weave our world into a beautiful tapestry of understanding and unity. Explore the warmth of community festivities by joining your neighbors in celebrating Hanukkah together at these area events:
Beit HaShalem Emet Hanukkah Celebration
This Hanukkah, let's light the menorah and be a beacon of kindness and compassion. Small acts of goodness can illuminate the world. Together, let's make this Festival of Lights truly meaningful.
Join us on December 9, 2023, for our annual Hanukkah Celebration!
Commonwealth Fire Company
2045 North Sherman Street
6:00pm-8:30pm
Our celebration is open to the public and is sure to be a joyous occasion, with loads of games for all ages, food and treats and our course the storytelling of Hanukkah!
To learn more about our open house Hanukkah celebration, visit us on the web at: bhse-york.org or call 717-586-1199!
York JCC Community Chanukah Celebration
Join the York JCC and the York community for our Community Chanukah Celebration on Sunday, December 10 from 3 - 5 PM at the York JCC.
We are partnering with the Temple Beth Israel religious school for a Sunday funday program filled with ruach, spirit!
We will have crafts, games, and treats to share, including beautiful music of the holiday. We will also play the dreidel game (with a dreidel TOURNAMENT!) and light the menorah together as a community.
PJ Library will also join us with story time and activities!
All are welcome to join us for this free, family-friendly event. For questions, please contact Iris Katz, Jewish Life Coordinator, at ikatz@yorkjcc.org.
We can't wait to celebrate with you!
For many families, it wouldn't be Hanukkah without a game of dreidel or treats of latkes and sufganiyot. We are grateful to share the joy four of our Macaroni KID families find in their favorite Hanukkah family traditions, from the lighting of menorahs to celebrate the miracle of the Festival of Lights to finding laughter with a favorite Adam Sandler movie:
Sharing the meaning behind Hanukkah
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One of my favorite Hanukkah traditions is going to my daughters' secular (non-religious) preschool and school classes to share about the holiday with their classmates. It isn't to compete with Christmas, but rather to help understand that:
- Not everyone celebrates Christmas, and that’s more than OK.
- Hanukkah is NOT the “Jewish Christmas” or even a major holiday.
- Hanukkah has some fun traditions! For my kids, I love that they’re able to feel special FOR celebrating Hanukkah – rather than excluded or odd.
The basic observances are simple and approachable, like lighting the menorah, eating foods with oil (to commemorate the miracle of the oil for the lamp lasting 8 days), and songs that are simple — all things you can do at home. To me this makes it approachable, and allows for celebrating the themes of rededication, sharing the light — tradition says to display the menorah proudly in your window — and overcoming challenges, which is relatable every year.
Want to learn more? PJ library has lots of great resources.
— Aaron Seligman, publisher of Macaroni KID Madison, Wis.
How many ways can you say Hanukkah?
Confused because you see Hanukkah spelled different ways? There's a reason for that! Hanukkah has various acceptable spellings due to its translation to English from Hebrew. Common alternatives include "Chanukah" and "Hanukah."
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Collecting menorahs
I have been collecting menorahs for decades. I display them in my family room all year long. Each year it is super exciting for us to decide which one we will use for Hanukkah. I especially love the one I have that is a beach-themed menorah (pictured above). They all bring back special memories of celebrating the holidays with our kids.
— Jamie Ratner, Macaroni KID CEO
A special tradition
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My kids made menorahs in preschool, and we go back to our synagogue every year to all light our menorahs together.
— Jessica Kline, publisher of Macaroni KID Clifton - Montclair, N.J.
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Food, games ... and Adam Sandler
Growing up, we would light the menorah each night, play dreidel with pennies or candy, visit family and eat latkes and donuts then open presents. As far as gifts go, my sibling and I either got one big present, something smaller each night, or something in between. As we got older, the presents lessened or we might just get some gelt — that's Hebrew and Yiddish for money. I've carried on a similar tradition with my boys.
For my family, Hanukkah is all about the latkes! My hubby likes them plain, my boys like them covered in ketchup, and I'm more old school with sour cream and applesauce. It also wouldn't be Hanukkah without some sufganiyot, similar to a jelly donut.
Get the recipe: These Sweet Potato Latkes are a Hanukkah Favorite
Another fun thing we do is read Hanukkah books and watch Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights. I have to warn you, though — it's PG-13 and full of potty humor. Not appropriate for younger kids!
—Brenna Gutell, publisher of Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas, Calif.
