Happy Hanukkah to all Our Jewish Friends and Family!

                 

Hanukkah is being celebrated December 24, 2016 - January 1, 2017!

How is it spelled, Chanukah or Hanukkah?    In the Hebrew, Chanukah is pronounced with the letter chet. The chet’s “ch” sound is not enunciated like the “ch” in child; rather it’s a guttural, throaty sound—like the “ch” in Johann Bach—which does not have an English equivalent. The letter “H” is the closest, but it’s not really it. So while some people spell and pronounce it “Chanukah” and others settle for “Hanukkah,” they really are one and the same.

Hanukkah is the annual Jewish Festival of Lights that starts on the 25th day of Kislev as per the Jewish calendar. It is an eight-day festival of religious observance by Jews across the world. Hanukkah celebrates the victory of Jewish troops led by Judah Maccabee over the Greek soldiers, the miracle of purified oil, which lit Menorah for eight days continuously, and the rededication of Holy Temple in Jerusalem. In this article, we have compiled some interesting facts about Hanukkah.

How is Chanukah celebrated?
On each of the eight days of Chanukah, a menorah(nine-branched candelabra) is lit, after nightfall (aside for Friday afternoon, when the candles are lit shortly before sunset). On the first night one light is kindled plus the shamash (attendant candle), on the second night two lights plus the shamash, and so continued until the eighth night when all eight lights plus the shamash are kindled. The menorah lights can be either candles, or oil and wicks.

It is traditional to eat foods fried in oil on Chanukah, to commemorate the miracle of Chanukah which occurred with oil. It is also customary to eat dairy foods during the holiday.  It is customary on Chanukah to give money gifts to children, and to play dreidel games.  It is also customary to give an increased amount of charity each day of Chanukah.  Another very important aspect of Chanukah is the daily prayers and Grace After Meals.

Hanukkah for Jews is as important as Christmas for Christians