Hanukkah will be celebrated from December 2-10 this year.
It's a Jewish holiday that's also called the "Festival of Lights" or the "Feast of Dedication."
At a time when antisemitism and hate crimes against Jewish Americans and others are on the rise, education remains an essential tool against violence.
History of Hanukkah
The library's Credo Reference database describes the holiday in this way:
"Hanukkah commemorates the successful rebellion of the Jews against the Syrians in the Maccabean War of 162 B.C.E., but the military associations of this festival are played down.
What is really being celebrated is the survival of Judaism.
After the Jews’ victory, they ritually cleansed and rededicated the Temple, then relit the menorah (“perpetual lamp”); hence one of the other names for this celebration, the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah means “dedication” in Hebrew).
The story is told that although there was only enough consecrated oil to keep the lamp burning for one day and it would take eight days to get more, the small bottle of oil miraculously lasted for the entire eight days. It is for this reason that Hanukkah is also known as the Feast of Lights.
Jewish families today celebrate this holiday by lighting a special Hanukkah menorah, a candelabrum with holders for eight candles, one for each day of celebration, plus a ninth, the shammash, “server,” used to light the others. One candle is lit on the first night, two on the second, three on the third, through to the eighth night when all are lit. A special prayer is recited during the lighting, and while the candles burn it is a time for songs and games, including the four-sided toy called the dreidel. Other customs include the giving of gifts, especially to children, and decorating the home—something like the CHRISTMAS celebrations in Christian homes around this same time of year."
Books in the Library
To learn more about Judaism this season, check out these books from the library. For help locating them, see a librarian: