Resources to Make the Most Out of Your Chanukah
November 25, 2024 | Shabbat and Holidays
Just when winter brings us the shortest, darkest days of the year, the Jewish calendar brings us Chanukah, the Festival of Light. Whether you’ve been lighting Chanukah candles your whole life, or you’re celebrating for the first time, the Macks Jewish Connection Network hopes that these ideas and resources bring moments of meaning, connection, and light to you, your friends, and family.
Don’t forget to explore our Chanukah Round-Up for local events to help you make this season truly special. Let’s light up the nights together!
When is Chanukah again?
HebCal’s Chanukah page lists the correct dates for every year. It’s a great resource whenever you have a Jewish Calendar question!
What’s the Chanukah story?
What’s the Chanukah story?Chanukah celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after it was violated by Syrian Greeks. A small band of Jews led by Judah Maccabee overthrew the Syrian army to retake the Temple. My Jewish Learning provides a complete overview of the historical story and rabbinic teachings about the holiday.
What’s the ritual for lighting the menorah?
What’s the ritual for lighting the menorah?Some of us are familiar with lighting a menorah, also known as a chanukiyah (a special 9 branched candelabrum), adding one candle each night, but we might be fuzzy on the details. PJ Library has a guide to lighting the candles, and My Jewish Learning has a more in-depth tutorial. Jewish Gateways created a visual chart that can be helpful for those with disabilities and visual learners.
What are some other holiday traditions?
What are some other holiday traditions?It is traditional after lighting candles to sing Maoz Tzur, known in English as Rock of Ages. You can find the lyrics in English and Hebrew from Jew Belong, and sing along with “Prayer-eoke” on YouTube.
There are many other fun holiday songs. You can get some inspiration from the Jewish a cappella groups the Maccabeats and Six13 and find playlists on Spotify and Amazon Music.
Playing dreidel (in Yiddish) or sivivon (in Hebrew) is a Chanukah favorite. Bible Belt Balabusta has a printable dreidel letter cheat sheet to help everyone remember the rules of the game.
Drawn from the Rabbinic story of the oil in the Ner Tamid (eternal flame) of the Temple lasting for eight miraculous eight days, many people eat fried, oily treats during the holiday! You’re probably familiar with the Ashkenazi tradition of eating latkes (potato pancakes) or the Israeli custom of sufganiyot (filled donuts) on Chanukah, but there are different fried-food traditions in the varied customs of Jews everywhere. All Recipes has compiled recipes enjoyed by Jews around the world.
What can I create?
What can I create?If you like to keep your hands busy, there is no shortage of crafts for the holidays!
Kids will enjoy making a paper plate menorah with Crayola or be inspired to make dreidel spin art with a video from Mommy Poppins.
Older kids and adults might like to try their hand at making a whimsical animal menorah from HGTV, or a paper garland as seen on Simple In The Country.
How Can I Learn More?
How Can I Learn More?Read: Every holiday is enriched by dinner conversation. You can use one of these discussion guides from Gesher and Breaking Matzo. And of course, PJ Library has stories for everyone.
Watch: If you are part of the Deaf community or are interested in learning American Sign Language, you may enjoy watching an ASL reading of Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah by Rochester School for the Deaf.
For a family watch, try the Shaboom Chanukah Special from BimBam.
Miriam Anzovin is a storyteller and artist known for her TikTok videos. She shares her Jewish Holiday Reaction to Chanukah. (This one is for adults only!)
Listen: If you are a podcast listener, you will love the archive of Chanukah stories from NPR, and an interview with Chopped celebrity chef Eitan Bernath on meeting Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. You might also enjoy the Hanukkah Unbound Podcast series from Judaism Unbound.
The Network offers you these resources in hopes that they will help you bring more light, more connections, and more meaning to your Chanukah celebrations!