Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a joyous Jewish holiday that celebrates the miraculous events that occurred over 2,000 years ago. Hanukkah will begin on the evening of Thursday, December 7, 2023, and end on the evening of Friday, December 15, 2023. For those who don't know: Hanukkah always starts on the 25th day of Kislev, also the ninth month on the Hebrew calendar.
The holiday spans eight nights and is observed by the lighting of a special candelabra called a menorah. Each night, an additional candle is lit, representing the courage, resilience, and triumph of the Maccabees. Families gather together to sing songs, exchange gifts, and enjoy delicious traditional foods like potato latkes and jelly-filled donuts called sufganiyot.
Hanukkah serves as a reminder of the importance of faith, freedom, and the enduring spirit of the Jewish people. It is a time of reflection, gratitude, and spreading the light of hope in times of darkness. During this festive season, communities come together to celebrate the miracles of the past and to inspire hope for a brighter future
