Hanukkah

Hanukkah History

Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is an eight-day Jewish festival that celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the Syrian-Greek ruler Antiochus IV during the 2nd century BCE. The observance is marked by the lighting of the menorah, a candelabrum that holds nine candles, with one candle lit each night of the festival. The holiday also involves prayers, blessings, and various festivities, including playing dreidel, a spinning top game, and the consumption of traditional foods such as sufganiyot and latkes. All this food is fried in oil to symbolise the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days in the Temple.

The presence of Hanukkah in the United Kingdom dates back to the late 17th century when Jews started settling in the country after being expelled centuries earlier. Today, the Jewish population of the UK is estimated to be roughly 300,000, making it one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe. British Jews celebrate the holiday similarly to those in other countries, although some unique traditions have developed, such as specific songs sung at community gatherings and public events.

In the United Kingdom, Hanukkah is observed in homes and synagogues, with the menorah lighting each night. In recent years, many cities, such as London, Manchester, and Leeds, have held public menorah lightings and other Hanukkah-related events that unite the larger Jewish community. Hanukkah usually occurs in December, on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, which can sometimes vary on the Gregorian calendar due to the differences between the solar and lunar calendars. British Jews adjust their celebrations accordingly, ensuring they follow the correct Jewish calendar dates.

Hanukkah (Begins) facts

• It is customary to eat fried foods on Chanukkah because of the significance of oil to the holiday. Among Ashkenazic Jews, this usually includes latkes (potato pancakes fried in oil) and doughnuts.
• A popular game during Hanukkah is dreidel. The dreidel is a four-sided spinning top with one Hebrew letter inscribed on each face/side. These letters are Nun (like N), Gimel (like G), Hei (Like H) and Shin (like Sh). These letters stand for the Hebrew phrase Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, a great miracle happened there, referring to the miracle of the oil.
• One of the most famous menorahs displayed in the UK during Hanukkah is the "Menorah on the roof" at the Knesset Yehezkel Synagogue in North West London. This large menorah sits on the roof of the synagogue, and one light is added each night of Hanukkah.
• Traditional Hanukkah foods such as latkes (potato pancakes) and doughnuts are enjoyed across the UK during the festival, with some British Jews incorporating their own variations on these dishes, such as using horseradish sauce instead of applesauce with latkes.

In the News and Trending in the UK for Hanukkah

Top things to do in the UK for Hanukkah

• Play a dreidel game, which consists of spinning a special four-sided block with Hebrew letters. Once you're out of game pieces, you can either get a loan or you're out until one person collects all of the game pieces.
• Make latkes and donuts at home. Many recipes can be found online.
• Host or attend Hanukkah parties where you can enjoy traditional Hanukkah food like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jam-filled doughnuts). You can also play the dreidel game, exchange gifts, and sing Hanukkah songs.
• Hanukkah is also a time for giving back to the community. Consider volunteering at a local food bank or participating in a charitable initiative to help those in need during the holiday season.

Hanukkah references