Hanukkah is the eight-day Festival of Lights and starts on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, which is in late November - December on the secular calendar. Hanukkah begins in the evening of Saturday, December 8, 2012, and ends in the evening of Sunday, December 16, 2012. It celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, purity over adulteration, and spirituality over materiality.
In addition to lighting a Hanukkah Menorah, customs include eating foods fried in oil, playing with a dreidel and giving Chanukah gelt coins to children.
We've assembled information on the holiday, its history and traditions, along with memorable ways to celebrate with your family, friends and community.
Source:Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center
Traditions of Hanukkah
Photo © Lisa Katz
You may know what a menorah is, but did you know that those letters inscribed on the dreidel -- a spinning top -- are the Hebrew letters nun, gimmel, hei and shin:"a great miracle happened there?"
To help guide you through the holiday:
- What is Hanukkah? About.com Judaism
- What is a Hanukkiyah? About.com Judaism
- How to Light a Chanukah Menorah: About.com Judaism
- Hanukkah Candle-Lighting Blessings: About.com Judaism
- All About the Hanukkah Dreidel: About.com Judaism
Planning a Hanukkah Celebration
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- How to Plan a Hanukkah Celebration: About.com Entertaining
- Christmas, Hanukkah and the Interfaith Family: Choices in Celebration
- Compromise With Your Roommate on Holiday Decorations: About.com Apartment Living / Rentals
- Reduce Fire Risk When Lighting Menorahs: About.com Apartment Living/Rentals
- Music for Hanukkah: About.com World Music
- Adam Sandler's "The Chanukah Song" and Eight Crazy Nights: About.com Movies
Hanukkah Decorating Ideas
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- Hanukkah Outdoor Decorations: About.com Pool and Patio
- Hanukkah Centerpiece for Under $15: About.com Budget Decorating
- Outdoor Holiday Lights & Decorations: About.com Pool and Patio
- What is a Hanukkah Bush? About.com Trees and Shrubs
- Chanukah Collectibles: About.com Collectibles
- Show Us Your Outdoor Hanukkah & Holiday Decorations: About.com Pool and Patio
Hanukkah Crafts and Activities
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- Hanukkah Projects and Crafts: About.com Family Crafts
- Star of David Box: About.com Crafts Video
- Hanukkah-Themed Cross Stitch Patterns: About.com Cross Stitching
Hanukkah for Children
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- Plan a Children's Hanukkah Party: About.com Children's Parties
- Hanukkah Projects and Games for Children: About.com Homeschooling
- Hanukkah Music for Kids: About.com Children's Music
- Best Hanukkah Books for Children: About.com Children's Books
- Teaching Tolerance With Lesson Plans for Hanukkah: About.com Special Education
Hanukkah Recipes and Menus
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Because oil was an important part of the Hanukkah miracle, many traditional recipes involve foods fried in oil, like latkes and jelly doughnuts. During the eight nights of Hanukkah, Sephardic residents of Jerusalem customarily arrange communal meals. It is traditional for friends who argued during the year to make amends at these special meals.
- Hanukkah Feast Recipes: About.com Kosher Food
- Hanukkah Jelly Doughnut Recipe: About.com Kosher Food
- Cheese Gelt Coin Recipe: About.com Home Cooking
- Easy Hanukkah Menu: About.com Busy Cooks
- Jewish Rugelach Recipe: About.com Eastern European Food
- Home-Cooked Hanukkah Dishes: About.com Home Cooking
Images of Hanukkah
Photo © Taylor Black
- Chanukah Cat: About.com Cats
- Hanukkah Menorah in Roman Fountain: About.com Italy Travel
- Menorah on Fire Escape: About.com Pool and Patio
Celebrating Hanukkah Around the World
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
- Hanukkah Events in Phoenix: About.com Phoenix
- Hanukkah in Manhattan: About.com Manhattan
- Hanukkah on Long Island: About.com Long Island
- Hanukkah in Los Angeles: About.com Los Angeles
- Celebrations in Orlando: About.com Orlando Travel
- Celebrations in Atlanta: About.com Atlanta Travel
- Synagogues and Centers: About.com Pittsburgh
- Hanukkah Events in Washington DC: About.com Washington DC
- Hanukkah in Scandinavia: About.com Scandinavia Travel
Global Events Search: Find a Hanukkah celebration near you, courtesy of Chabad.org
