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Jewish Treats Guide to Sukkot

WELCOME TO JEWISH TREATSComplete Guide to Chanukah!

Jewish Treats is excited to introduce our brandnew eBook: Complete Guide to Chanukah -your online resource to Chanukah. This eBookincludes a little bit of everything: Discover howgelt became gifts, the enduring dreidel gameand menorah lighting methods. You will alsofind recipes, fascinating facts and lots of familyfun. Everything you need to know and havebeen wondering about this spectacular holidayis now right at your fingertips!

Click here for a message from our director.

From everyone at NJOP and Jewish Treats, we wish you avery Happy Chanukah!

CreditsFounder:Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

Edited By:Tamar Schwartz

Content:Sarah Rochel Hewitt

Social Media:Susanne Goldstone Rosenhouse

Contributors:Mayim Bialik, Susie Fishbein, Eleni’s Cookies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH45EBKCdL0


Table of ContentsThe Story of Chanukah:

What is this holiday really celebrating? ................................1

The Menorah: Methods and Myths ........................................3

Lighting the Chanukah Candles............................................5

Safety Tips ............................................................................6

Susie Fishbein’s Greek Recipes .............................................7

Perfect Potato Pancake Recipe ...............................................9

Classic Doughnut Recipe.....................................................10

Eleni’s Chanukah Cookie Secrets ........................................11

Chanukah Nostalgia: What our fans and followers are saying about Chanukah ..13

Six Creative and Meaningful Activities for the Family..........15

Mayim Bialik’s thoughts on Chanukah................................16

Festive Chanukah Songs .....................................................18

Spin the Dreidel: Why we gamble on Chanukah ................19

Game Corner......................................................................20

Test Your Chanukah Skills ...................................................23

What are Chanukah Presents Really About? .......................24

My Great-Grandather’s Menorah .......................................25

Jewish Treats Guide to Sukkot Jewish Treats CompleteGuide to Chanukah 1

The Story of Chanukah:WHAT IS THIS HOLIDAYREALLY CELEBRATING?

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When the Greeks conquered the world, theybrought with them their highly developed Hellenistic culture - the philosophies of Platoand Aristotle, the multitude of Greek gods andgoddesses, and the worship of the physical. Atfirst, the Greeks were peaceful rulers, luringJews to their culture by inviting them in andbeing open to searchingthe wisdom of Judaism. Inthe year 199 B.C.E., how-ever, the land of Judea,which had been under thecontrol of the Ptolemies(Greeks ruling from Egypt),was conquered by the Seleucids (Greeks rulingfrom Syria).

The Syrian-Greeks did not feel that it was appropriate for the Jews, now their subjects, tomaintain their own national culture. By now,they felt, the Jews should have seen the error of their “primitive” ways and embraced the “farmore advanced” Hellenistic culture with openarms…and many did. The majority of Jews,however, maintained the heritage of their ancestors, incorporating some Hellenistic activities, but remaining faithful to the Torah.

The Syrian-Greeks pursued a policy of forcedassimilation of the Jews. Torah study became acapital crime. If a parent was found to have circumcised an infant son, both the parent andchild were put to death. The Greeks set up idols

in the Jewish town squares, summoned theJews to the square and forced them to worshipthe statue or sacrifice a pig before the idol. TheSyrian-Greeks wanted the Jews to renouncetheir own heritage and to be like them, Hellenists. Their campaign against Judaismbegan slowly, but by 168 B.C.E. they had

desecrated the Holy Temple, setting a statue ofZeus in the main plaza.

In the town of Modi’in,west of Jerusalem, therelived a man namedMatityahu (Mattathias). Hewas from the Hasmoneanfamily, one of the branchesof the priestly families. In

167 B.C.E., Syrian-Greek soldiers came to Mod-i’in and demanded that the Jews sacrifice aswine to one of their gods. Matityahu refused toallow this desecration and slew the heretic whohad volunteered. Matityahu’s sons joined him inhis battle and attacked the soldiers. Matityahuand his family were victorious in that small bat-tle, but, heavily outnumbered by the incomingreinforcements, they were forced to flee Modi’inand take refuge in the hills. Matityahu’s sons,who continued the fight after his death, becameknown as the Maccabees.

Continued on Page 5

“Matityahu’s sons, whocontinued the fight afterhis death, became knownas the Maccabees.”


Jewish Treats CompleteGuide to Chanukah 1


Under the leadership of Judah theMaccabee, the Jews led a guerillawar to free their nation. In 165B.C.E., the Maccabees finally succeeded in routing the vastlystronger Syrian-Greeks and retook

the Temple. They were aghast to find that theSyrian-Greek soldiers had thoroughly desecrated the holy site. The Jews immediatelyset to work removing the idolatrous statues, replacing the altar, and performing the manytasks necessary to rededicate the Temple.

On the southern side of the sanctuary stood theMenorah, but there was no oil with which to light it.As the Jews cleansed the Temple they searched for anunopened jar of pure oil. When all seemed lost, how-ever, one last flask, with its seal still intact, was found.The Jews rejoiced and hurried to light the Menorahand rededicate the Temple.

Only one small jar of oil...enough for a singleday… It would take at least another week for afresh supply of pure olive oil to be prepared.The Jews were in a quandary. Do they light theMenorah and al low it to fizzle out while waiting for more oil, or do they wait and usethe oil the day before the new oil will arrive, inorder to maintain a continuous flame? On the25th of Kislev, not wanting to postpone performing the mitzvah, they decided to lightthe Menorah--and the miracle of Chanukah occurred. Despite the small quantity of oil, the

menorah remained lit for the entire eight days,announcing to the world that God’s presencehad returned to the Temple.

The celebration of Chanukah focuses on themiracle of the Chanukah lights. But the rekindling of the Menorah in the Temple wasthe culmination of a chain of wondrous events,

the result of obvious Divine intervention, as wellas sheer force of human will. When we light thecandles of the menorah and recall the miracleof the oil, we must also remember the amazingtriumph over our enemies.Focusing exclusivelyon the military victory, however, might make usbelieve that any group of rebels could havedriven away the Syrian-Greeks, and that simplehuman power was behind the victorious Maccabean army. Focusing only on the militaryvictory might have led us to forget the Divinehand in history.

“Despite the small quantity ofoil, the menorah remained litfor the entire eight days…”


MENORAH CHECKLIST!1) You really don’t need a menorah! That’s right, one could technically light a series oftea lights (for example) one next to the other and still properly fulfill the mitzvahof Chanukah lights!

2) The lights should be in a straight line without any difference in height. They may be ina semi-circle as long as all the lights are visible at the same time. The place for theshamash on the menorah, however, should be differentiated from the other lights. Usu-ally it is higher, lower or out of line with the others.

3) There should be enough space between lights so that none of the flames merge withtheir neighbor. Also the candles must be far enough apart that one candle does not causethe candle next to it to melt.

4) It is preferable to use olive oil for the Chanukah lights since the miracle took placewith olive oil. One may, nevertheless, use wax or paraffin candles or other types of oils aslong as they produce a steady, clean light.

Chanukah is unique among the holidays in that it has only a sin-gle mitzvah - publicizing the miracle of Chanukah through thelighting of the menorah.

WHO?All adults are equally obligated in the lighting of the Chanukahcandles, and each one may light their own menorah. However,the head of the household may choose to light one set ofChanukah candles for the entire household. If individuals arelighting, it is customary to allow children over nine to light theirown menorahs.

WHAT?The Chanukah menorah can come in a wide array of styles,colors and sizes. Some people like a silver menorah, othersprefer ceramic. Some prefer to have the shamash, the helpercandle, positioned in the middle of the other eight candles, others prefer the shamash on one side.

The Menorah:METHODS & MYTHS


WHEN?While there are several opinions about whenone should light the Chanukah candles, thepopular opinion is that they should be lit approximately 30-40 minutes after sunset. Ifone is unable to light at the appropriate time,one may light later in the night, as long asthere is someone else in the house who isawake or people on the streets that can seethe candles. However, if the menorah was notlit at all during the night, there can be no“make-up” lighting during the day.

The Chanukah candles should remain litfor at least a half an hour and should notbe used for any utilitarian purpose (e.g. forreading), but only used for the pleasure ofviewing them.

WHERE?In order to fulfill the mitzvah of publicizingthe miracle, it is important to light theChanukah candles where others are ableto see them. It is now common practice toplace the menorah in a window facing thestreet. Please be sure to review fire safetyprocedures on page 9 with your family.

HOW?On the first night, the first candle is placedon the far right side of the menorah. Eachsucceeding night, an additional candle isadded to the left of the previous night’scandle(s). The newest candle is always litfirst.

On Friday night, the Chanukah candlesmust be lit before the Shabbat candles,and remain lit for at least 78 minutes (Tip: use oil or extra-long candles).


Lighting theCHANUKAH CANDLES

Before lighting the candles, the following blessings are recited:

Baruch Atah Ado-nai, Ehlo-haynu Melech ha’olam, asher kideshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzeevanul’hadlik ner shel Chanukah.

Blessed are You Lord, our God, Ruler of the world, Who sanctified us through His command-ments and commanded us to kindle the lights of Chanukah.

Baruch Atah Ado-nai, Ehlo-haynu Melech ha’olam, she’asah neesim la’avotaynu, bayamimhahem bazman hazeh.

Blessed are You Lord, our God, Ruler of the world, Who wrought miracles for our ancestors inthosedays at this season.

The third blessing is recited on the first night only:

Baruch Atah Ado-nai Ehlo-haynu Melech ha’olam, sheh’heh’cheh’yanu v’kee’manuv’hee’gee’anu la’zman ha’zeh.

Blessed are You Lord, our God, Ruler of the world, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, andbrought us to this season.

It is customary to recite the songs Ha’Neyrot Halalu and Ma’Oz Tzur after lighting the candles.Both songs can be found on page 21.

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SafetyTips:

If you have small children or pets,make sure to place your menorahout of their reach.

Secure drapery around windows ifyour menorah is nearby, and placeyour candles at least 12 inches awayfrom anything flammable.

Keep a fire extinguisher handy.

Make sure your smoke detectors areworking properly by testing them theday before Chanukah.

You don’t want your menorah to tipover, so be sure to use one that issturdy.

Be mindful of your hair and looseclothing when you are lighting.

It is a good idea to place a piece oftin foil under your menorah just incase a candle falls. Since tin foil isnot flammable, it will prevent thetable from catching fire.

If your clothing or hair catches fire,STOP, DROP and ROLL.

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Lighting the Chanukah candles is a special andenjoyable experience; however, if not handledproperly, they can cause a fire. Here are somesuggestions from the National Fire ProtectionAssociation to ensure that your fire stayswhere it should be - on the menorah.

https://www.ou.org/holidays/chanukah/chanukah-safety/


Susie Fishbein’s best-selling Kosher by Design series has revolutionizedkosher cuisine. Her creative and delicious recipes are always crowd-pleasers for tastes of all ages. Susie’s latest cookbook, Kosher byDesign: Teens and 20-Somethings, has something to offer everyone.Below are two Greek recipes from her latest book.

To add a new twist to your Chanukah party this year, why not servesome Greek dishes...think of it as a way of celebrating the survival of the Jewish people against the desire of the Syrian-Greeks to obliterateJewish culture.

For a Chanukah Dinner:

Susie Fishbein’sGREAT RECIPES

Greek Turkey Salad*Meat -Yields 6 servings

For a dairy option, leave out the turkey and crumble in some fetacheese. (For a vegetarian option, toss in some cubed tofu.)

1. In a quart-sized container, whisk or cover and shake the vinegar,garlic powder, oregano, basil, onion powder, pepper, salt, and mustard.Pour in the olive oil. Whisk vigorously until blended. Cover and store atroom temperature.

2. Place the chopped lettuce, cucumber,onion, olives, tomatoes, and turkey intoa large bowl. Toss to mix well. Adddressing to coat all the lettuce; youmay have extra dressing.

3. Transfer to a salad bowl orindividual plates.

cup red wine vinegarteaspoons garlic powderteaspoons dried oregano leavesteaspoons dried basilteaspoon onion powderteaspoon freshly ground black pepperteaspoon fine sea saltteaspoon Dijon mustardcup extra-virgin olive oilhead romaine lettuce, finely choppedsmall English (hothouse) cucumber,peeled and cut into ½-inch dicemedium red onion, peeled and cut intovery thin slicescup sliced black olivescup sliced grape tomatoespound plain or smoked store-boughtturkey breast, sliced or cut into cubes

½1 ½1 ½1 ½1111½11

½

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Apple Walnut Greek Yogurt Dip

It is customary to eat dairy on Chanukah. Thistradition is in honor of the heroic acts of Judith,who saved the city of Bethulia from the tyrantGeneral Holofernes, by feeding him cheese andwine until he fell into a deep sleep, whereuponshe killed him.To read more about this incredible story click here.

This delicious dip combines two elements ofChanukah feasting; dairy and Greek:

*Dairy -Yields 4 servings

A quick, healthy snack for between meals or anytime. Greek yogurt isthick and creamy and a little more tart than regular yogurt. It also winsout in the protein and probiotic categories when compared to regularyogurt.

1. Measure the yogurt into a small mixing bowl.

2. Spray a 1/4-cup measure with nonstick cooking spray. This will helpthe honey slide right out when measured. Add the honey and cinnamonto the yogurt. Mix well.

3. Slice the apples into rings or wedges, discarding the core and seeds.Arrange on a plate. Drizzle with yogurt dip.

4. Sprinkle with walnuts. Serve cold.

*Click here to purchase Susie Fishbein’s Kosher by Design: Teens and20-Somethings

cup low-fat 2% Greek yogurthigh heat or professional cooking spraycup honeyteaspoon ground cinnamonlarge Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, orother applecup chopped walnuts

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½

http://www.jewishtreats.org/2011/12/chanukah-heroine.html

http://www.artscroll.com/search/fishbein.aspx


Because of the significance of oil in the miracle of Chanukah, it hasbecome customary to eat foods fried in oil during the holiday. Twotraditional treats are potato pancakes (aka Latkes) and doughnuts(aka Sufganiot).

PerfectPOTATO PANCAKE RECIPE

Potato Pancakes - Latkes*Yields 16 latkes

Reprinted with the permission of Kosherfinder.comSubmitted by: B. Goldberg

1. If you are using a hand grater, place the onion and eggs in a largebowl. Peel the potatoes, then shred or grate them directly into the bowl.Stir in the flour, salt, and pepper.

2. If you are using a food processor, grate the onion, then peel all thepotatoes and grate or shred as many as you can at once. Place the pota-toesand onions in a large bowl, mix in the eggs, flour, salt, and pepper.

3. In a large skillet, heat 1/8 inch of oil until it is hot but not yet smoking.For each latke, spoon about 1/4 cup of potato mixture into the oil,flattening slightly with the back of the spoon to make a 3-inch pancake.Cook until crisp and brown on one side, then turn and brown the otherside. Add oil as necessary to cook all the latkes.

4. Drain well on paper towels. Serve hot. Many people serve latkes withapplesauce or sour cream.

medium-size onion, grated fine (onethirdcup approximately)eggs, slightly beatenpounds potatoes (approximately6 medium)tablespoons flourteaspoon salt (omit or reduce if on asalt-restricted diet)teaspoon peppervegetable oil for shallow frying

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ClassicDOUGHNUT RECIPE

Doughnuts - Sufganiot*Yields about 1 dozen

Reprinted with the permission of Kosherfinder.comSubmitted by: B. Goldberg

In a medium size mixing bowl, use electric mixer to beat the eggs withsugar and oil until well mixed. Beat in the juice or coffee, the flour, andthe baking powder.

1. Spread a thin layer of flour on a clean, dry work surface. Turn thedough out onto the flour. Coat your fingers with flour. Flatten the dougha little, then flip it over to coat the other side lightly with flour. Gently rollthe dough out to a thickness of 1/2 inch.

2. Using a doughnut cutter dipped in flour, cut the dough into as manydoughnuts and doughnut holes as you can. Reroll scraps, cut theremainder.

3. In an electric skillet or a large deep pot, heat an inch of oil until it ishot but not yet smoking. Carefully drop as many doughnuts and holesas will fit comfortably in the skillet or pot. Fry a few minutes on eachside until nicely browned. Drain well on paper towels.

4. For the glaze, place the confectioners’ sugar in a small shallow bowlthat will be large enough to accommodate a doughnut for dipping.Blend in orange juice or coffee half a teaspoon at a time, until smoothand just thick enough to run off the spoon. While still warm, dip thedoughnuts into the glaze. If you prefer, sprinkle the fried doughnuts withplain confectioners’ sugar.

eggscup sugarcup canola, soybean, or other oilcup orange juice or brewed coffeecups flourteaspoons baking powderextra flour for the work surfaceoil for deep frying glaze:cup confectioners’ sugarteaspoons orange juice or brewedcoffee, approximately

2½¼¼2 ½2

½2


Eleni Gianopulos started baking her mom’s oatmeal-raisin cookies inher apartment in 1996, but quickly outgrew her oven. Since 1997,Eleni’s has been a must-stop at the Chelsea Market (and morerecently the Upper East Side at 90th & Madison), where irresistiblydesigned “conversation cookies,” cupcakes and other treats await.She has shared her scrumptious Sugar Cookie Recipe so you canmake them right at home for Chanukah!

Eleni’s ChanukahCOOKIE SECRETS

Sugar Cookie RecipePreheat the oven to 360 degrees Fahrenheit.

1. Combine all of the dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside. In a mixingbowl, cream the butter and sugar using a paddle attachment.

2. Add the egg and vanilla and slowly mix to combine. Use a rubberspatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl and paddle.

3. Add the dry ingredients last and mix just until combined.

4. Shape the dough into a circle onto parchment paper or plastic wrapand refrigerate until firm enough to roll.

5. Roll approximately ¼” thick and cut into desired shapes. Bake onparchment lined sheet tray until golden around the edges, 9-11 min-utes, depending on the size of the shape.

6. Cool completely before icing.

cup all purpose flourteaspoon saltteaspoon baking sodacup unsalted butter at roomtemperaturecup sugarlarge egg, at room temperatureteaspoon vanilla extract

½¼½½

½11

Icing RecipeCombine all of the ingredients using a whisk. For a stiffer consistency,add more sugar. To thin out, add a bit of egg white. Color using fooddyes and frost cookies as desired.

large egg whitesteaspoons fresh lemon juice,strainedcups confectioners’ sugar, sifted

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For over a decade, Eleni has wowed NewYorkers and the rest of the country with hersugary creations. Her hand iced sugar cookiesare a favorite of everyone from Blake Lively ofGossip Girl to Catherine Zeta Jones, Jerry Seinfeld, A-Rod, Leonardo DiCaprio 0 dozensmore famous faces. What’s more, she’s madecustom creations for the biggest names in thebusiness world from Starbucks to BobbieBrown, the WSJ and every company in between.

This Chanukah season, Eleni talks to usabout the hobby that became a full timebusiness.

Why is baking such a great family activity?Whether your children are 2 or 12, baking cookies together is always a great activity andsomething that can last a lifetime. Not only is ita great way to all spend time together athome, with your kids, it’s a wonderful way tounplug from the TV and computer and focusattention around doing something creative.

What can kids learn from baking?Baking is a terrific activity because regardlessof your child’s age, there is something to belearned. Whether it’s learning about

measurements, reading a recipe, followingdirections, the lessons learned in a kitchenare priceless and can be applied to otheraspects of life.

What are some tips on decorating cookies?Decorating cookies is always the fun part. Ifyou’re in the kitchen with toddlers, considerbuying small squeeze bottles and putting theicing in them. Keep in mind they need to besmall so little ones can handle them. If you’reworking with older kids, the traditional pastrybag is great – just add a rubber band to theend of it so the frosting doesn’t come out.

About Eleni

Visit elenis.com to check out her sweet treats.

Eleni’s is a NUT FREE bakery and is Kosher certified.

Follow Eleni’s on Facebook

http://www.artscroll.com/search/fishbein.aspx

https://www.facebook.com/ElenisNY/

Chanukah NOSTALGIA

We asked our Jewish Treats Facebook Fansand @JewishTweets Followers to share their thoughts on Chanukah!

“Making latkes with the family! I can’t wait for my 2 year old to trysome this year :)”

- Lisa Marie S., Nashville, TN

“Getting together with our friends for a latkes and vodkas party.”

- Anita B., Rio Rancho, NM

“We’d perform Glick’s Hannukah Suite. �ere’s a lullaby about the next candles we’d light. I get to sing it to my baby this year.”

@bakerash - Kerstin B., Toronto, Canada

“�e grown-up version of the dreidel game - with shots instead of gelt!”

Michael G., St. Louis, MO

“Using a menorah which my husband’s grandfather brought with him when he emigrated from Lithuania in the 1890’s.”

- Susan B., Tiverton, RI

“Retelling Eric A. Kimmel’s�e Chanukah Tree, Herschel and the HanukkahGoblins, and one of thestories from “Jar of Fools”(the one about the Chelmdreidel).”

- Alyssa F., Richmond, VA

“Although I’m 41 and my dad 64, and I’ve lived in another country...we always get home to the NYC menorah lighting near the Plaza Hotel.”

- Erica B.

“Eating latkes!”

@joefrohlinger - Joe F., Tenafly, NJ

“We have a new tradition. My boys enjoy nothing more than to ride in our car with our 3 foot high Car Menorah attached to the roof. Each year we parade around the streets of Center City Philadelphia (150+ cars strong)”

@gruvenreuven - Reuven F., Philadephia, PA

“Celebrate by having family over for dinner. We play dreidel with high piles of gelt to be won. After a retelling of the Maccabees everyonelights a menorah, all the many that have been collected over the years. We nosh on latkes through-out the evening, and of course the kids get that first present.”

- �resa O., Eustis, FL

WE ASKED: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CHANUKAH TRADITION?


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their thoughts on Chanukah!

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WE ASKED: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE CHANUKAH MEMORY?

“Going to my mother's ‘secret’ closet in the basement and spying all the presents at once!”

@GailPeckRauner - Gail R., Westchester, NY

“Celebrating my first Chanukah this year!”

-Elvis W.Memphis, TN

“I remember my Saba (Grandpa) grating a huge mound of potatoes by hand for latkes. He said scraped knuckles helped with the taste!”

@hsabomilner - Hadassah M., Spring Valley, NY

“Every year during Chanukah I think of in college when we tried to make 400 Latkes, and burnt down the Hillel kitchen.”

@schnit - Evan G., Teaneck, NJ

“My fav Chanukah memory: teaching my friends to play dreidel in high school. �ey got bored and made a color coded M&M rainbow.”

@melschool - Mel S., Denver, CO

“When I was in Israel in De -cember 2009, my now-husband would call me and light the candles over the phone from Connecticut!”

@kvetchingeditor - Chaviva G., Teaneck, NJ

“As a child, insisting on rainbow arrangement for the menorah’s candles.” @jyuter - Josh Y., New York, NY

@chambanalaura - Laura B., Champaign, IL

“A big Chanukah party with all my cousins. Half the toys would be broken before we went home.”

Chanukah NOSTALGIABecome a fan of Jewish Treats on Facebook.Follow us on Twitter @JewishTweets!


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reats CompleteGuide to Chanukah 14




SIX CREATIVE & MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES

For the FamilyLike most Jewish holidays, Chanukah is an opportunity for families to connect. Whetherthat means getting together for a Chanukah party or exchanging holiday-focused greeting cards, Chanukah is a time when people think about those near to them.

This also means that Chanukah is the perfecttime for fun and meaningful family activities:

1) Great Gift Giver: Since Chanukah is aboutchinuch (Jewish education), scout out yourlocal Jewish bookstore (or online Jewish book-store) and choose a Jewish book for each mem-ber of your family.

2) Dreidel Competition:If you come from a largefamily that lives near eachother, gather everyonetogether for a Dreidel competition. Dreidel, the famous spinning top game,has easy rules and can beplayed by most kids over 5.(For more on the Dreidel andhow to play, see page 22).

3) Menorah Moments: Makeyour own menorahs, or senda menorah that is specific tothe recipient’s tastes. (Formore on the Menorah, see page 6)

4) The Gift of Giving: At this time of year, helpteach the children in your life about the powerof giving, by encouraging them to choose oneor more charities to which they may make adonation, or give one of the gifts they receive.Take a moment to discuss the importance of

charity in Jewish life. (To learn what Chanukahpresents are really about, see page 27)

5) Weekend Warriors: Here’s a hands-on gamethat will enthrall and educate your kids andtheir friends. Take the gang to the park andhave them re-enact (safely) the story ofChanukah. Most kids will love the “action.”

6) Running Telephone Story:This is for long-distance fami-lies. Write out the story ofChanukah and divide it into 8different sections, ending witha cliff hanger wherever possi-ble. Each night of Chanukah,callup your long distance grand-child/niece/ nephew/etc, andpresent them with the mostrecent “installation” of theheroic tale of the Maccabees.

Beyond all else, Chanukah isa holiday about Jewish iden-tity and Jewish pride. Make

the most of the holiday by demonstrating itswarmth and the broad variety of holiday cus-toms. This is the greatest Chanukah gift of allthat every Jewish adult may deliver to all chil-dren!


As a child, I didn’tlove Chanukah. Don’tget me wrong: I likedit well enough. Thecandles, the presents(pajamas and pencilswere standards), thesongs, and the friedfoods all made megenerally very excited to be a Jew, and Iwas happy for any indications that Judaism held yummy and fun treats forus at Christmastime, a time when everyperson I met from Halloween throughNew Year’s seemed to be not Jewishand wanted to wish me a Merry Christmas and ask what I wanted fromSanta. “I don’t believe in Santa. I celebrate Chanukah,” I would mumble.

So why didn’t I love Chanukah? Well, Igrew up in a home that straddled theOrthodoxy of my grandparent’s youthand the membership

we held to a Reformsynagogue, so thingswere sometimes a littlemixed up and not fullyunderstandable. I onlygot the most basic explanation ofChanukah: how braveJudah Maccabee

helped save the Jews.

Chanukah presented in this way lackedthe “meat” of the preferred Jewish holiday of my youth, Passover. Passoverentailed elaborate preparing, twonights of a fancy meal in our homewhere I got to sip Manishewitz, andeight days of restricted eating thatsomehow made me feel deeply con-nected to being Jewish. Chanukah bycomparison seemed a bit …weak. I feltno real connection to the spiritual andreligious parts of me that Passoverstirred up.

From the Star of Blossom:MAYIM BIALIK’S THOUGHTS ON CHANUKAH

“…every person I met fromHalloween through NewYear’s seemed to be notJewish and wanted to wishme a Merry Christmas.”


Watch Mayim on this season’s hit CBS comedy- The Big Bang Theory! Mayim also writes regularlyfor Kveller.com.

Become a fan of Mayim on Facebook!

Now that I am older, and now that I havebecome more immersed in Judaism andJewish learning, I can honestly say that Ilove Chanukah. I have had my eyesopened to the deeper historical conflictand tension surrounding the story of theMaccabees, and I have even studied thepolitical issues that were in the mix whenMatityahu and Judah rose up to lead theJews to victory. The phrase “the manywere delivered into the hands of the few”these days gives me chills, as I picture ourbrave ancestors fighting to practice theirreligion as Hellenism threatened to endall that we hold dear as Jews. And thelarger but more serious issues of the free-dom to be Jews, faith in God, and beingopen to the possibility of miracles in themodern age do not take away from thejoy I still feel when I eat fried foods, spina dreidel, or open a package of yellowmesh-enclosed chocolate gelt.

The path I have taken towards observantJudaism has truly helped me become theJew that I believe I was destined to be,and it has given me back what historytried to rob us of. For me, the investmentin Jewish learning has transformedChanukah from a holiday that did notquite have “enough” for me into a holidaythat has served as a gateway to all of theother meaningful practices that I havetaken on, including the eventual obser-vance and passion for all of the holidays Inever even knew much about to begin

with, like Shavuot, Sukkot, and even TishaB’Av. And to think this all started withwanting more from Chanukah!

Rabbi JosephSoloveitchik(z”l) greeted myRabbi and hisfellow studentsone day in

University by banging on the podium, declaring loudly, “Students! I have witnessed a miracle today!” The studentsfell silent. He continued gently, “I saw thesun come up today.” Enjoy the miracles ofthis season, whether it is the recognitionof the historical miracle of Chanukah orthe greatest miracle of all: that we areconstantly growing and learning, and thatwe are truly blessed with the possibilityfor seeing miracles every day if we justopen our eyes and allow them to be witnessed.

“…it has given meback what historytried to rob us of.”

https://www.facebook.com/MissMayim/?fref=ts

http://www.kveller.com/


FESTIVEChanukah Songs

It is customary for the following song to besung while the candles are being lit:

It is also customary for the following songto be sung while the candles are being lit:

Ha’Neyrot Halalu

Ha’neyrot halalu anachnu madlikinal hanisim v’al ha’niflaot,v’al ha’t’shu’ot v’al hamilchamot,she’aseetah la’avotaynu ba’yamim hahembazman ha’zeh, al y’dey Kohanecha ha’k’doshim.

V’chol shmonat y’mey Chanukah, ha’neyrothalalu kodesh hem. V’eyn lanu r’shut l’hishtameshba’hem, ehla lir’otam bilvad, k’dey l’hodot u’leha’lell’shim’cha ha’gadol al neesecha v’al nif’l’otechav’al y’shu’atecha.

Ma’Oz Tzur

Ma’oz tzur y’shu’ahtee, l’chah nah’eh l’shabeyach;Tee’kone beyt t’feelah’tee, v’sham todah n’zah’beyach;L’ayt tacheen matbeyach, mee’tsahr ham’nabeyach;Ahz egmor b’sheer mizmor, chanukat ha’mizbeyach.

“Rock of Ages let our song, praise Thy saving power.Thou amidst the raging foes, was our sheltering tower.Furious they assailed us, but Thine arm availed us.And thy word, broke their sword, when our ownstrength failed us.”

(Please note that this is the english version of the song)

*For the full version of this song click here

“These lights we kindle upon the miracles, the wonders, the salvations and on the battles which Youperformed for our ancestors in those days in this season, through Your holy priests. During all eightdays of Chanukah, these lights are sacred. We are not permitted to make ordinary use of them, but tolook at them, in order to express thanks and praise to Your great name for Your miracles, Your wondersand Your salvations.”

http://njop.org/resources/holidays/complete-guide-to-holidays/chanukah/maoz-tzur/


The Dreidel is a four sided top, with a single Hebrew letter oneach of its sides. Before the game begins, all players are givenan equal number of coins or candies. Each player makes an initial deposit of coins or candies to the middle of the circle andthen takes a turn spinning the Dreidel. When it falls, dependingon the Hebrew letter that is facing up, the following occurs:

(b) Nun: Nothing happens, on to the next player.

(d) Gimmel: The player wins the pot.

(v) Hey: The player takes half the pot.

(a) Shin: The player must put a coin/candy in the pot.

Spin theDREIDEL

Why is gambling a custom on Chanukah?

When the Syrian-Greeks ruled Judea (c. 167 BCE), theybanned the study of Torah. The Jewish people defiantly con-tinued to study and to teach their children. Under the threatof death, the children and their teachers met in secret, with alookout to watch for soldiers.When the enemy approached,the books were quickly hiddenand the Jews pretended to begambling (which was perfectly ac-ceptable to the Syrian-Greeks).Playing dreidel, which may seemlike just a cute game to us today,actually helped save Torah study in Israel!

The letters on the Chanukah dreidel spell out Nayse GadolHayah Sham, A Great Miracle Happened There (referring toIsrael). In Israel, therefore, dreidels have a Pey instead of aShin, representing the word Poh, which means Here, sincethe miracle actually occurred in the land of Israel.


GameCORNERChanukah crossword puzzle*Answers on page 26

Across2. Place the menorah by the...5. Another word for potato pancake7. Another word for light (as in we light the candles)8. After the first night, we begin lighting from this side of the menorah10. The “servant” candle that lights the others

Down1. Hebrew month in which Chanukah takes place3. The kind of oil used in the menorah in the Temple4. Second name of Judah6. Number of nights we celebrate Chanukah9. Faces on a dreidel

1

2

3 4

5 6

7

8 9 10

Across

2. Place the menorah by the...

5. Another word for potato pancake

7. Another word for light (as in we light the candles)

8. We begin lighting from this side of the Menorah

10. The "servant" candle that lights the others

Down

1. Hebrew month in which Chanukah takes place

3. The kind of oil used in the Menorah in the Temple

4. Second name of Judah6. Number of nights we celebrate Chanukah

9. Faces on a dreidel


ChanukahWORD SEARCH

*Answers on page 26

BlessingGeltMenorahCourageGimmelMiracle

Dairy*HallelNunDoughnutsHeyShin

DreidelHolyTempleFlameLightTradition

*To learn about Hallel click here


ChanukahCOLOR ME PAGEPrint this page for your favorite kid to color in!

Test your CHANUKAH SKILLS *Answers on page 27 and 28

1. The Chanukah story took placea) During the First Temple Periodb) Between the First and the Second Templec) During the Second Temple Periodd) After the destruction of the Second Temple.

2. The Maccabees werea) Shepherdsb) Mercenariesc) Priestsd) Merchants

3. Antiochus was a ____ kinga) Syrian-Greekb) Egyptianc) Babyloniand) Roman

4. What is the primary mitzvah of Chanukah?a) Eating latkes (potato pancakes)b) Giving Chanukah giftsc) Publicizing the miracled) Playing Dreidel

5. The Chanukah candles must burn for at leasta) 25 hoursb) 1 hourc) 30 minutesd) 15 minutes

6. Who lights the menorah?a) The oldest person presentb) The rabbic) The youngest able person presentd) Everyone can light their own menorah

7. The Dreidel game became a Jewish traditiona) Because Jews were always involved in gamblingb) To keep children entertainedc) To hide their Torah classes from the Syrian-Greeksd) Because the Syrian-Greeks introduced it to theJewish people

8. Which traditional Chanukah food is fried in oil?a) Latkes/Potato Pancakesb) G’vina/Cheesec) Sufganiot/Doughnutsd) All of the above are fried in oil for Chanukah

9. Yehudit (Judith) made the Syrian-Greek GeneralHolofernes sleepy by feeding him ____ and wine?a) Cheeseb) Olivesc) Steakd) Apples

10. What had happened to almost all of the oil inthe Temple?a) It had been defiledb) It was dirtyc) It had been stolend) It had been used for cooking

11. The patriarch of the Maccabee clan wasa) Judahb) Matityahu (Mattathias)c) Jonathand) Johanan

12. The Chanukah story is related in which Biblicalbook?a) Estherb) Kings IIc) Ruthd) There is no Biblical book concerning Chanukah

13. The Syrian-Greeks prohibited which mitzvot:a) Brit Milah (Circumcision)b) Shabbatc) Rosh Chodesh (Celebration of the new month)d) All of the above



What are Chanukahpresents really about?

What is the connection between Chanukahcandles, intelligent children and gelt? TheTalmud (a central text of mainstream Judaism, pertaining to Jewish law, ethics,philosophy, customs and history), in Shabbat 23b, teaches that one who is diligent in lighting Chanukah candles willhave children who are scholars! The sagesdid not elaborate on what was the exactconnection between lighting the candlesand scholarship, but the name of the holi-day itself can help clarify the relationship.

Chanukah shares the same root as the He-brew word chinuch, which means education.

The Maccabees fought so that their childrenand their children’s children would beable to study Torah freely and be knowledgeable about their Jewish heritage. Publicizing Chanukah is so important that one is even encouraged toborrow money, if needed, in order to buyoil. It soon became customary for peopleto give a little money (gelt) to the poor sothat they would not be embarrassed orforced to ask for assistance.

Because the idea of “being diligent in the lighting of the Chanukah lights” is aprimary consideration in both giving tothe poor and meriting wise children, it became the custom to give children a bitof gelt as a reward for studying. Childrenwho showed mastery of the laws and customs of the holiday, or who were diligent in their studies, were rewardedwith a shiny coin. Over time, the simplegiving of gelt (coins or presents) itself became a Chanukah custom.

Today, many families exchange presents(instead of coins) to keep the traditionalive.


In our 2007 Judaica Across America Campaign,the National Jewish Outreach Program searchedthe country for meaningful Judaica with a history.This Chanukah, we’d like to share one of the sto-ries with you:

MenorahCould I have waited any longer to submit thisentry? Here it is, December 31, 2007, at 5:12PM. Part of the reason why it took me so longto get this together has to do with my great-grandfather’s legacy.

Isadore Singer, my maternal grandfather’s fa-ther, was a cavalryman in the Russian armyunder Czar Nicholas II. Hisprestigious position was veryunusual; in fact, he was theonly Jewish soldier in the cav-alry. Due to persecutionagainst his family and com-munity, Isadore decided tomake a run for America.Around the year 1902, whenhe was about 21 years old,Isadore escaped to America.He deserted the army in themiddle of the night, saidgood-bye forever to his onlybrother Benjamin, and took only one objectwith him: his menorah. It took him weeks to getto Germany, and from then on to the UnitedStates through Ellis Island.

Isadore Singer came to this country so that I

could be free, even though he never knew me.He risked his life for an idea, a place where Jewscould live without persecution. Not that mygrandparents didn’t have to put up with discrimi-nation, and not that I didn’t encounter the occa-sional rude and ignorant comment growing up;but every time I think about pogroms or theHolocaust, I thank God my great-grandfatherwas brave enough to risk all. I grew up lightinghis menorah every Chanukah, and so the holi-day came to mean more than religious freedomfrom the ancient King Antiochus, but also tangi-ble religious freedom for my family and myself.

His legacy: four sons, three of whom went to col-lege, of which he was enor-mously proud. (He hung theirdiplomas on the outside of hisfront door so all the neighborscould see.) His oldest son, Ben-jamin, my grandfather, passedaway more than ten years ago,but his youngest son, mygreat-uncle Meyer, is still mypen pal from New York. Wejust got together this summerat my brother’s wedding.

I know that I am also part ofIsadore Singer’s legacy. And

so it is that I sit here at my computer more than100 years after he came to the United States,typing this entry, a ‘typical’ harried Americanwith a gazillion things to do. That’s why hecame here. So I could be me.

MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER’SMenorah

“He deserted the armyin the middle of thenight, said good-byeforever to his onlybrother Benjamin, andtook only one objectwith him: his menorah.”

http://judaicaacrossamerica.blogspot.ca/


CrosswordAcross2. Window5. Latke7. Kindle8. Left10. Shamash

Down1. Kislev3. Olive4. Maccabee6. Eight9. Four

GAME ANSWER KEY

Answers to Chanukah Word Search


QUIZ ANSWERS& EXPLANATIONS

1. The Chanukah story took placec) During the Second Temple Period

The revolt of the Maccabees, or theChanukah story, occurred around 164 B.C.E.,well into the era of the Second Temple.

2. The Maccabees werec) Priests

The Maccabees were actually a priestly fam-ily, Kohanim, meaning that they were de-scendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses,and served in the Temple.

3. Antiochus was a ____ kinga) Syrian-Greek

4. What is the primary mitzvah of Chanukah?c) Publicizing the miracle

The primary mitzvah of Chanukah is publi-cizing the miracle, which is accomplishedthrough the lighting of the menorah. The actof lighting the Chanukah candles entailsmore than just that. The laws of theChanukah candles include the instructionsthat the lights should be placed in a door-way (which was the most public place in an-cient times) attached to a public space. Thelaw was enacted so that the holiday wouldnot only show the Jewish people’s acknowl-edgment of the gratitude to God, but wouldalso serve as a reminder to the nation ofwhat they had lost, what they had re-claimed, and what had allowed them to re-claim it. Today, we place the candles in thewindow, where others can see them whenthey are lit.

5. The Chanukah candles must burn for atleastc) 30 minutes

In order to ensure that the lights are seen bymany people, the lights of the menorahmust burn for at least 30 minutes.

6. Who lights the menorah?d) Everyone can light their own menorah

All adults are equally obligated in the light-ing of the Chanukah lights and everyonemay light their own menorah. The head ofthe household may, however, elect to lightone set of Chanukah candles for the entirehousehold. While it is obvious that youngchildren should not be allowed to play withfire, children over the age of 9 should havethe opportunity to light for educational pur-poses.

7. The Dreidel game became a Jewishtraditionc) To hide their Torah classes from theSyrian-Greeks

See page 22

8. Which traditional Chanukah food is fried in oil?d) All of the above are fried in oil forChanukah

They all are! Because of the significance ofoil in the miracle of Chanukah, it has be-come customary to eat foods fried in oil dur-ing the holiday.

9. Yehudit (Judith) made the Syrian-Greek GeneralHolofernes sleepy by feeding him ____ and wine?a) Cheese

It is customary to eat dairy on Chanukah.The tradition is in honor of the heroic acts ofJudith, who saved the city of Bethulia fromthe tyrant General Holofernes, by feastingon cheese and wine until he fell into a deepsleep, whereupon she killed him. To readmore about this incredible story click here

10. What had happened to almost all of the oil inthe Temple?a) It had been defiled

According to Torah law, the oil for the Tem-ple Menorah had to be pure olive oil. Whatis pure olive oil? It is made using just thefirst drop of each olive. Just as today wehave “safety seals” to ensure that our foodwas not tampered with, the jars of oil for theMenorah were sealed with the seal of theHigh Priest. When the Maccabees drove theSyrian-Greeks out of the Temple, they foundthat the seals on all but one flask had beenbroken, rendering them unusable since itwas impossible to tell whether or not the oilhad been used for idolatrous worship. Thewonderful pure olive oil was thusdefiled.

11. The patriarch of the Maccabee clan wasb) Matityahu (Mattathias)

12. The Chanukah story is related in which Biblicalbook?d) There is no Biblical book concerningChanukah

The Book of Maccabees, which relates thestory of Chanukah, is known as Apocrypha,a non-Biblical text. The books of the Apoc-rypha are often related to the Biblical texts,and written in a similar style, but were eitherwritten after the sages closed the Biblicalcanon (as is the case of the Book of Mac-cabees) or were not seen to have propheticinsights to guide the Jewish people in futuretimes and were therefore not included in theBible.

13. The Syrian-Greeks prohibited which mitzvot:d) All of the above

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