What is Hanukkah about?, Jewish, Holidays, God, by Susan Diamond

Fun Facts

Hanukkah is about more than just the story of Hanukkah. There are different ways Hanukkah is celebrated today and fun facts about Hanukkah that will surprise you! The word Hanukkah means "dedication". The Jewish people re-dedicated the holy Temple after their victory against the Syrians in 165 BCE.

The holiday of Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights. Menorahs (candelabra) are displayed in Jewish homes and a new candle is added for each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. There's lots of ways to spell Hanukkah, because the word itself is from the Hebrew. It's typically pronounced "hah-na-kah" but it can be found spelled with a "CH" Chanukah.

You’d be correct to pronounce it with a hard "Ch" almost like a "Kah," but roll your tongue for a more guttural sound. Though Hanukkah is a relatively minor holiday on the Jewish calendar, many Jewish families get in the December holiday spirit and celebrate Hanukkah similarly to the Christian celebration of Christmas, complete with decorations and holiday gift exchanges. Hanukkah falls on a different date each year. Jewish tradition goes by a lunar calendar, not a solar calendar that is standard. That's why the 25th of the month of Kislev could be in November, December and even January!

Great Recipes for Hanukkah

Hanukkah is about remembering the Hanukkah story, miracles, and family. But Hanukkah would not be complete without the traditional Jewish food served at Hanukkah time. Ask a Jew, “What is Hanukkah about?” and they can explain Hanukkah and all Jewish holidays with one same story: “They tried to kill us, we won, let's eat!” Hanukkah food is round and fried in oil. Round because it's a symbol of life, and fried to remind us that a small drop of oil lasting for eight nights.

Here are 2 must-have recipes for Hanukkah.

Potato Latkes

6 medium sized potatoes

1 small onion

1-teaspoon salt

1 egg

1/8-teaspoon pepper

3 tablespoons flour, matzo meal or bread crumbs

1/2-teaspoon baking powder

Oil for frying Wash, peel and grate potatoes. Strain but not too dry. Add grated onion, salt and the egg. Mix well. Add remaining ingredients and beat into potatoes, mixing well. Heat enough oil to cover bottom of frying pan. Drop by tablespoonful into hot oil. Brown on both sides. Drain on absorbent paper. Delicious served with applesauce or sour cream.

Jelly Doughnuts or "Sufganiyot"

3 cups of unbleached flour (sifted) 2 teaspoons baking powder

2 Tablespoons sugar

2 eggs

2 cups low fat sour cream

Canola oil for frying Jelly of your choice

Powdered sugar In a bowl combine flour, baking powder, sugar, eggs and sour cream. Mix until well blended. Heat the oil, and when very hot add 1 tbs. of batter to the oil. Fry until doughnut puffs and becomes light brown, then turn and cook on the other side. Repeat until all doughnuts are cooked. Set cooked doughnuts on a paper towel to cool (the paper towel will also absorb the excess oil). Poke a small hole into each doughnut and fill with jelly of your choice. Sprinkle the doughnuts with powdered sugar and serve immediately.