Hanukkah: The Jewish Festival of Lights

Hanukkah Celebration
18th Century
~ Anon

Hanukkah begins November 27 and ends on December 5 this year.

~ Hanukkah (also known as Chanukah) is the Jewish Festival of Lights and lasts eight days. The Hebrew word Hanukkah means "dedication.

~ Hanukkah commemorates the Miracle of the Oil.

~ During Hanukkah, people exchange gifts and give to the poor and needy.

~ The festival is observed by the kindling of the lights of a unique  nine-branched Menorah or Hanukiah, one additional light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night.

~ The reason for the Hanukkah lights is not for the "lighting of the house within", but rather for the "illumination of the house without," so that passersby should see it and be reminded of the holiday's miracle

~ After lighting the candles and Ma'oz Tzur, singing other Hanukkah songs is customary in many Jewish homes. 

Information found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah .

 

STORIES

Jewish folktales, legends and fairy tales to honor this religious holiday.

The Three Laughs

http://tinyurl.com/yhkcjr4

Loosening the Stopper
http://tinyurl.com/ygjb7vf

The Clotheslines

http://tinyurl.com/yddpue4

Defending His Property

http://tinyurl.com/yze47uq

A Special Gift

http://tinyurl.com/y9efvq4

A Collection of Wisdom – Jewish Folktales

http://www.rodneyohebsion.com/jewish-folktales.htm

Jewish Fairy Tales and  Legends by Gertrude Landa, 1919.  “This book is based on tales from the Talmud and Midrash. While some of the themes are familiar from fairy-tales and folklore from other traditions, the stories in this collection are infused with the perennial Jewish struggle for survival and dignity, as well as a large helping of gentle humor.”

http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/jftl/index.htm

The Golden Mountain by Meyer Levin, 1932. “This is a collection of tales of the Eastern European Hassidic Jews, centering on the holy men Baal Shem Tov and Rabbi Nachman of Bratzlaw.” http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/gm/index.htm

Tales From the Past – Midrash and Chassidic stories, fables, parables and more.

http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/109851/jewish/Tales-from-the-Past.htm
 

BOOKS

Jewish Book Council
http://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/subject-reading-list/jewish-folktales

CRAFTS

A variety of crafts, activities and coloring pages for Hanukkah can be found at these three sites.

DKTK-KIDS
http://www.dltk-kids.com/world/jewish/hanukah.htm

Apples 4 the Teacher
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/hanukkah/kids-crafts/

MSN Living – Additional crafts for the entire family.
http://living.msn.com/family-parenting/raising-kids/10-easy-hanukkah-crafts-to-make-with-kids#1

CURRICULUM

 

 

Education World – Hanukkah Activities Across the Curriculum

http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson040.shtml

 

Teacher Vision – Lesson plans, Art,  Music activities and more.

https://www.teachervision.com/hanukkah/teacher-resources/6627.html

SONGS

Hanukkah Songs and Lyrics

http://judaism.about.com/od/holidays/a/Hanukkah-Songs-Lyrics.htm 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
History.com -  History of Hanukkah
http://www.history.com/topics/Hanukkah


Folksingers Peter, Paul and Mary sing _Light One Candle__.

 

 

 

 

Karen Chace 2013 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.