Hanukkah: A Festival of Lights Celebrates a Miracle

The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after a successful battle won by Judah Maccabee against the Greek and Syrian armies around 165 B.C.

During the time of rededication, miraculously, a single day's supply of oil burned for eight days. Today the Hanukkah menorah has nine branches and commemorates that event as each of the eight candles are lit every day of the holiday and the ninth candle, called the shamash is used to light each of them.

Already a holiday that brought Jewish families together for prayer, music, singing, games, gift-giving and traditional foods, Hanukkah–since the winter holiday usually falls near Christmas–a Stanford University survey found that American Jews observe it more adamently than in Israel to preserve the traditions and significance of Hanukkah.

Spinning the dreidel and eating fried foods like latkes, or potato pancakes, and jelly-filled donuts are traditional family and community activities in addition to lighting the menorah. Eating Chinese food on Christmas has become more commonplace too.

The dreidel, a top, has four sides with Hebrew letters that together mean, "a great miracle happened there."

Locally, several synagogues, temples and organizations will host Hanukkah events.

• Émigré Chanukah – Chanukah celebration for Émigré families with children up to 11 years old, in Russian, Sunday, December 18, 5 – 7 p.m., Social Hall of Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills.

• The Festival of Lights Community Hanukkah Party at the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center in Palo Alto is open to everyone. It takes place on Dec. 21 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.  www.​paloaltojcc.​org. Here, families will experience the traditional dreidel games, jelly donuts, singing, praying, and of course, candle-lighting. There is no charge for this event.

• Palo Alto's Jewish Study Network invites the community to a Hanukkah Party that includes a class on Hanukkah and afterward with jelly donuts, live music and Chinese Food. On Dec. 24 starting at 8 p.m. Adults $10, children under 10, $8.
• Congregation Beth Am's Shabbat Service and Chanukah Potluck Oneg in Los Altos Hills starts 6 p.m. outside the Sanctuary with the singing of songs and lighting the candles on Beth Am’s giant chanukiyah. Shabbat services at 6:15 p.m. in the Sanctuary. After services, there will be a festive Chanukah Potluck Oneg. Please bring your own chanukiyah. The Membership/Community Committee will provide the latkes and applesauce. Family and friends to join the fun. Those with last names beginning with A – L, please bring a favorite dessert that will serve 10 people. M – Z, please bring an appetizer to share with 10. RSVP to Emily Osterman, so they know how many latkes to buy.