Chanukah

The eight-day Jewish celebration known as Chanukah (Festival of Lights) commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. According to legend, Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt. Eight days celebrate the miracle of the tabernacle oil lasting until the rider could bring back more for the Ner Tamid (eternal light) after the defeat of the Assyrians by the Maccabees. Jewish homes celebrate by lighting a 9-branch menorah (chanukiah) and by playing betting games with a dreidel (spinning top) with the letters representing the words “A Great Miracle Happened There.” Other great gifts are kitchenware for latkes and applesauce and/or sour cream.