HanukkahThe Festival of Lights

Grade 3/4 research project on celebrations, traditions and rituals

Author : Marcus

The name of the celebration or tradition you are researching?Festival name

Hanukkah, a Jewish celebration It can also be spelled Chanukah

Festival name meaningFestival of lights

Why is this an important event?The festival of Hanukkah

celebrates the miracle of the lamp.

People first celebrated Hanukkah because they defeated a mean ruler who would not let them worship God.

To celebrate they lit an oil candle that they wanted to last forever.

They only had enough oil for one day but a miracle happened and the candle stayed lit for eight days which was enough time to get more oil.

When and where does it happen?When

Hanukkah lasts for 8 nights Its celebrated on the 25th of Kislev

Kislev is the Jewish month that is roughly in between November and December

Where All Jews celebrate Hanukkah all around the

worldIt is celebrated both at home and at the

synagogue (Jewish temple)

A family celebrating Hanukkah at home under candle light

Some things they do at this celebration?Candles are lit every night

The candles are in a special candelabra called a Menorah The menorah is a special 9 candle candelabra

People give gifts or moneyPeople share foodPeople play games like Dreidel

Dreidel is a special spin the top game that is only played at Hanukkah

Do they eat special food? During Hanukkah

they eat food fried in olive oil because that’s the type of oil the Jews used in the menorah.

For example potato latkes are a traditional Hanukkah food

Do they listen to, sing/play special music?Songs

“Oh Chanukah" is a traditional Hanukah song"I Have a Little Dreidel" is one of the most

recognized English Hanukah songs. Both songs are

Playful with upbeat tempo and are sung by children.

The songs are about dancing, eating latkes, playing dreidel, lighting the candles and singing happy songs.

Do they use special items?

Menorah

Dreidel

Sources Books

1. Holidays and Festivals - Hanukkah (Nancy Dickmann)

2. Celebrations - Hanukkah (Mandy Ross)3. Hanukkah Festival of Lights (Jenny Koralek)

Websites1. Hanukkah for kids2. Eight Hanukkah facts for children