Chanukah Story told by Kids

Happy Chanukah everyone. May the feeling and love you feel during this time of year be with you always. I hope you enjoy this story as Sarah gives you a glimpse into modern day Chanukah celebrations

My Family Chanukah Party
by Sarah Edelsburg, age 10

Every year, my mom, dad, brother and I have a big party in the middle of Chanukah. But this is not an ordinary party. It's a Chanukah party with Chanukah decorations, latkes, jelly donuts and presents for everyone. We only invite relatives. This party is so much fun!! It's usually at night. I get to make the invitations by hand. That's a lot of fun too. Two hours before the party will start, my mom starts setting up. We usually buy Chanukah tablecloths, plates, cups, napkins, and signs. My Mom pulls out the table so there is more space to put the food. The food is set up like a buffet. You're supposed to take what you want to eat. Mom puts the tablecloth on and starts taking out plates, cups, silverware and napkins. While whe does that, my brother and I get dressed for the party. When we come out there are more chairs in the living room and little bowls with potato chips, M&Ms, and nuts in them. The decorations are up. Our cameras are out. Soon the guest will arrive.

Menorah with Toys, Candy, and Gifts in Background

details

Shaffer-Smith
64 x 48 inches

Photographic Print

$149.99

The guest arrive!!! The party starts. First we light the menorah as everyone gathers around and we sing a Chanukah song or two with everybody. Then mom takes out the food. Everyone piles around the table to get food. We all sit together talking as we eat. We all walk around and talk to every single person. I usually have so much to say. We eat for a long time. Many get up for seconds of latkes and apple sauce. After that mom brings out a delicious chocolate cake. It always tastes great!! After that we open presents. Everyone gives something to each other. My brother and I usually make our presents by hand. There would always be a smile on everybody's face because we all give great presents. After tht we eat some more dessert and everybody for while looks at their gifts. My brother and I start playing with our presents. Soon people have to leave Soon everyone is gone. We pile all our presents in our rooms, then we quickly go to bed. My Chanukah party is my favorite party of the year. It's so much fun!!!

from www.zuzu.org

Chanukah is a special time For Children

Chanukah, also known as the "Festival of Lights", is an eight day holiday starting on the 25th night of the Jewish month of Kislev. Chanukah means "Dedication, goes back almost 2,400 years. Chanukah celebrates one of the greatest miracles in Jewish history.

The story of Chanukah

Over two thousand years ago when Judea was ruled by Antiochus, a Syrian king, attempted to assimilate the Jews into Greek culture by commanding them to worship Greek gods while oppressing Jewish culture and religion. A statue of Antiochus was erected in the Jewish temple and the Jews were ordered to bow down before him.

Menorah with Toys, Candy, and Gifts in Background

details
Shaffer-Smith
64 x 48 inches

Photographic Print

$149.99

The Jews refused because the Ten Commandments, given to the Jewish people by God, forbid the worship of statues and idols. A small group of Jews called Maccabees, rebelled, risking their lives to prevent the desecration of their Temple. The Maccabees won, but the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed. The Jews repaired the Temple and rededicated it to God by rekindling the sacred Menorah of the temple. But only one small jar of sanctified oil was found, yet lamp stayed miraculously lit for eight days until the Jews could replenish the oil supply.

Like Christmas, Chanukah is a special time for children. Gifts and Chanukah money are exchanged. Some families give a small present on each of the eight nights of Chanukah

Hanukah Dreidel with Gelt

details

Sally Moskol
18 x 24 inches

Photographic Print

$39.99

Chanukah Games

Children and adults play with a spinning top called a dreidel. This cube-shaped dice has a Hebrew letter on each side. To begin the game, each player has 10-20 objects, often raisins or sweets. Each person puts one object in the middle. Then each person takes a turn at spinning the dreidel. The letter that the dreidel shows when it has finished spinning determines whether they win or lose the stake.

Sufganiyot or doughnuts
usually filled with fruit preserve/jam

details

Frances Gordon
12 x 16 inches

Photographic Print

$39.99

Chanukah Foods

Chanukah is a great time for eating delicious foods. Some dishes have special significance, such as latkes, a kind of potato fritter/ pancakes and donuts ( called Sufganiyot in israel ). This is because they are fried in oil and so Jewish people remember the miracle of the oil lasting eight days in the temple.