Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem following the successful Jewish rebellion of the second century against the Seleucid Empire. The revolt, led by Judah the Maccabee, came in response to the Seleucids desecrating the Temple and outlawing Judaism. Tradition holds that the small amount of oil remaining in the Temple upon its recapture miraculously burned for eight days. Thus, Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and features the lighting of an eight-branched candelabrum, called a hanukkiah. It is customary to eat oily fried foods, including latkes (potato pancakes). The giving of gifts is a relatively new tradition stemming from Hanukkah’s proximity to Christmas.
Hanukkah Resource 1: Quick Facts
Below you can download decorative Holiday “Quick Facts” cards that can be easily used on bulletin boards, as place settings, or as informational handouts at your next Hanukkah Party! You can also view short, informative articles on Hanukkah.
Download below the TCI version of “Dreidels to Dreidels” a fun group game that we created based on the Milton Bradley game “Apples to Apples” that matches funny holiday adjectives with Jewish noun or verb cards in each player’s hand. Watch hilarity ensue as players match terms like "oily" to "Adam Sandler", “Falafel” or “the last presidential election.” While it may be limited by the hand of cards you’re dealt (what if you don’t have a perfect match for "Sarah Silverman"?), there is some strategy to the game. Each round of card matching is judged by a different player at the table. We hope that “Dreidels to Dreidels” will provide lots of Hanukkah fun and laughter for all!
Looking for good Hannukkah themes/discussion ideas (TCI would be happy to come to your school to help you present these or other interesting themes and provide you with resources to help you facilitate discussions of your own!)
The Hanukkah holiday can be connected thematically to:
Heroes: Courage and Perseverance in the Face of Adversity: The Macabees fought for religious freedom against the Greeks, but there are many contemporary heroes who fought similarly for freedom against seemingly insurmountable odds…
Individual Journeys toward Freedom: The 8 lights of Hanukkah can be translated into student interpretations of 8 people who increased “light” in the world through their work/contributions to Freedom and humanity.
Hanukkah and other Celebrations of “Light” around the World: As the time of the year comes when the days grow shorter, colder and darker, many world cultures created holidays that centered around “light.” The Hanukkah holiday can be a great opportunity to explore “Light Celebrations” around the world and increase student awareness and appreciation for global multiculturalism.
