Chanukah

Light the chanukiah; discuss pride in being Jewish.

Children wonder and discover; you facilitate more than you lecture.

• How is Chanukah similar to or different from other winter holidays?
• What is the Chanukah story and how does it help us celebrate being Jewish?

Chanukah recalls the Maccabees’ fight for religious freedom and the oil that lasted eight nights — a holiday of Jewish pride and dedication, with its own meaning, not a substitute for anything.

• Chanukah — dedication
• Maccabim — Maccabees
• Nes gadol — a great miracle

“Is Chanukah a big holiday?”

It’s joyful but actually a ‘minor’ holiday — its themes of freedom and pride make it beloved.

• Children experience Chanukah as distinct from Christmas.
• Children explain the Chanukah story and its values.

Support interfaith families warmly; celebrating Chanukah proudly doesn’t require giving anything up.

Folktale. The Cruse of Oil (Talmudic) — a little hope lasts eight nights.

Changemaker. Pink — has been openly and loudly part of the Jewish community her whole public life, in a business where a great many people kept it quiet, and says so when it costs her something.

How is Chanukah the same and different from other winter holidays?

“We explored Chanukah and Jewish pride. Try at home: light candles and share one thing you’re proud of about being part of this community.”