Hanukkah begins

Let there be light — in your life, your home, and your heart. A little more fun, a little more love, a little more light every night. 

The holiday of Hanukkah is a time to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness and to remember that even in the darkest of times, hope can shine through. It is an eight-day wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated by Jewish people with nightly menorah lighting, special prayers, and delicious foods.

The Hebrew word Hanukkah means “dedication,” and is thus named because it celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple. Also spelled Chanukah (or variations of that spelling), the Hebrew word is actually pronounced with a guttural, “kh” sound, kha-nu-kah, not tcha-new-ka like the English word “Chanukah.”

Hanukkah begins on the eve of Kislev 25 and continues for eight days. On the civil calendar, it generally coincides with the month of December. Hanukkah 2022 runs from 18 December - 26 December.

The celebration begins on the first evening with the lighting of the Menorah (a nine-branched candelabra) and special blessings. The Hanukkah candles are lit from right to left, one each night. Each day has its own theme and corresponding blessings. Special prayers are recited, often to a traditional melody, before the menorah is lit, and traditional songs are sung afterward.

That's the joy of Hanukkah.

A menorah is lit in every household (or even by each individual within the household) and placed in a doorway or window. The menorah is also lit in synagogues and other public places. The meal that concludes the holiday is called "oneg", which means "celebration".

It truly is a magical celebration and we want to wish everyone who celebrates this special holiday a happy Hanukkah.