• Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that lasts for eight days.

• Hanukkah is also called the "Miracle of Lights" or "Festival of Lights" and sometimes it is spelled Chanukah.

WHAT EVENT DO JEWS CELEBRATE AT HANUKKAH?

Hanukkah is a time when Jews celebrate the historic rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

The rededication took place after the Jews defeated the Syrians in the 2nd century BC and regained control of the temple.

WHAT IS THE MEANING BEHIND THE MENORAH?

When the Jews regained control of the Second Temple, they lit the Eternal Lamp.

They only had enough oil for one night, but a miracle happened and the oil lasted for eight nights. That is why the menorah has eight regular candles.

The ninth candle, which is in the center, is the shammash or "helper" candle. It is used to light the other eight candles.

TRADITIONAL GAMES

Dreidels are four-sided toy tops.

Children play a gambling game with them.

Gimel means all, hay means half, shin means put, nun means nothing.

• Gelt is money. Jewish children receive gelt for Hanukkah

• They use the gelt to gamble with when they play dreidel.

• Sometimes the gelt is chocolate candy shaped like coins and covered with gold or silver foil.

TRADITIONAL DISHES

Latkes are potato pancakes.

They are often served with applesauce and

sour cream.

Jelly donuts are deep fried in oil.

The oil reminds Jewish people of the oil in the

Eternal Lamp and in menorahs.