Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that takes place around Christmas time. It lasts eight days in December and starts on the 25^th of Kislev (the month that occurs at the same time as December). This year, Hanukkah will begin on the evening of December 12^th and will last until December 20^th.

Hanukkah is celebrated to remember to Second Temple in Jerusalem, where Jews rose against the Greek-Syrian tyrants in the Maccabean Revolt.  It started with a Jewish priest who refused to worship the Greek gods, and insisted that his followers rededicate one of their temples to the Jewish God.   The miracle that inspired this “festival of lights” occurred when Jews who took part in the rededication of the Second Temple saw a miracle. With barely any oil to keep the menorah’s candles burning for a single day, the flames continued to be lit for the eight nights, leaving them time to find supplies. This event inspired Jews to celebrate a yearly eight-day festival.

On each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, a candle is lit in a menorah ( the traditional, ceremonial lamp stand ). The ninth candle on the hanukkiyah is called the shammish, which is used to light the other eight candles. The shammish is also in the center of the other candles and has a higher position compared to the others. One candle is lit every night until they are all lit. Before or after lighting the candles, it is tradition to have a blessing, thanking God to remember the war.

Like Christmas, Hanukkah is time to receive and give presents to others. However,unlike Christmas, gifts are exchanged on each of the eight nights during this holiday. It’s usual to play games during Hanukkah, such as Hanukkiyah Bingo, Pop ‘n Spin Dreidel Game, and the Hanukkiyah Tic Tac Toe Game.