GET YOUR HANUKKAH ON!
Dear Friends,
This booklet was designed for you to use with your children; it includes Jewish ideas and activities corresponding to each of the 8 Nights of Hanukkah. This year, the festival of Hanukkah begins on Sunday evening, December 18, 2022 and culminates with a full Hanukkah menorah on the evening of Monday, December 26, 2022.
On the following pages, you will find 8 nights of content, focused on experiencing the holiday of Hanukkah through
• learning (Jewish values)
• asking (thoughtful questions to discuss as a family)
• doing (simple suggested activities to enjoy together)
We hope this booklet enhances your Hanukkah celebrations and brings you a sense of pride in the richness of Jewish life.
Wishing you a warm, joyful and bright Hanukkah, The LiNK Professional Team
The Story of Hanukkah for Very Young Children The Story of Hanukkah for Very Young Children
A long, long time ago in the land of Israel, the most special place for the Jewish people was the Temple (synagogue) in Jerusalem. The Temple contained many beautiful objects, including a tall, golden menorah. Unlike menorahs of today, this one had seven (rather than nine) branches. Instead of being lit by candles or light bulbs, this menorah burned oil. Every evening, oil would be poured into the cups that sat on top of the menorah. The Temple would be filled with shimmering light.
At the time of the Hanukkah story, a mean king named Antiochus ruled over the land of Israel. “I don’t like these Jewish people,” declared Antiochus. “They are so different from me. I don’t celebrate Shabbat or read from the Torah, so why should they?” Antiochus made many new, cruel rules. “No more celebrating Shabbat! No more going to the Temple, and no more Torah!” shouted Antiochus. He told his guards to go into the Temple and make a mess. They brought mud, stones, and garbage into the Temple. They broke furniture and knocked things down; they smashed the jars of oil that were used to light the menorah.
Antiochus and his soldiers made the Jews feel sad and angry. A Jewish man named Judah Maccabee said, “We must stop Antiochus! We must think of ways to make him leave the land of Israel.” At first, Judah’s
followers, called the Maccabees, were afraid. “Judah,” they said, “Antiochus has so many soldiers. His soldiers carry such big weapons, and he uses huge elephants to fight his battles! How can we Jews, who don’t have weapons, fight against him?” Judah said, “If we think very hard and plan very carefully, we will be able to defeat him.” It took a long time, but at last the Maccabees chased Antiochus and his men out of Israel.
As soon as Antiochus and his soldiers were gone, the Jewish people ran to Jerusalem to clean their Temple. What a mess! The beautiful menorah was gone, and the floor was covered with trash, broken furniture, and pieces from the shattered jars of oil. The Maccabees built a new menorah. At first, they worried that they would not be able to light their new menorah, but they searched and searched, until at last they found one tiny jar of oil – enough to light the menorah for just one evening.
The Maccabees knew that it would be at least eight days before they could get more oil, but they lit the menorah anyway. To their surprise, this little jar of oil burned for eight days. The Jewish people could not believe their good fortune. First, their small army had chased away Antiochus’ large army, and now the tiny jar of oil had lasted for eight whole days! Every year during Hanukkah, Jews light menorahs for eight days to remember the miracles that happened long ago.
Hanukkah Blessings Hanukkah Blessings
Each night of Hanukkah, add a candle to your menorah while reciting these prayers. Candles are placed in the menorah from right to left but candles are lit from left to right.
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who hallows us with mitzvot, commanding us to kindle the Hanukkah lights.
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, she-asah nisim laavoteinu v’imoteinu bayamim hahaeim baz’man hazeh.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who performed wonderous deeds for our ancestors in days of old at this season.
First night only:
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehecheyanu v’kiy’manu v’higiyanu laz’man haz eh.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.
הָכָֻּנֲח לֶשֶׁ רֵנ קיִלְדַהְל וּנָֽוִּצְו ויָתוְֺצִמְבְּ וּנָֽשְֶׁדְִּק רֶשֲֶׁא ,םָלוֹעָה ךְֶלֶֽמ ,וּניֵֽהלֱֹא ָיְי ,הָתַָּא ךְוּרָ בְּ םֵהָה םיִמָיַָּבְּ וּניֵֽתוֹמִּאְו וּניֵֽתוֹבֲאַל םיִסִִּנ הָשָָׂעֶשֶׁ ,םָלוֹעָה ךְֶלֶֽמ ,וּניֵֽהלֱֹא ָיְי ,הָתַָּא ךְוּרָבְּ הֶזֶַּה ןַמְזֶּבְּ הֶזֶַּה ןַמְזֶַּל וּנָעיִגִִּהְו וּנָמְ יִָּקְו וּנָיֱחֶהֶשֶׁ ,םָלוֹעָה ךְֶלֶמ ,וּניֵהלֱֹא ָיְי ,הָתַָּא ךְוּרָ בְּ
Night 1 – Community / Kehilah Night 1 – Community / Kehilah
Sunday, December 18, 2022
Learn: The scholar Hillel said, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am for myself alone, what am I? If not now, when?” (Pikei Avot, Ethics of Our Community, 1:14) Hillel and Shammai, another sage who lived at the same time, are famous for agreeing to disagree. They often disagreed about various points of Torah (The Five Books of Moses) or Jewish practice, but they continued to respect each other.
Ask:
• Who is someone you disagree with occasionally but with whom you are still friends?
• When have you extended an olive branch or a gesture of peace to another person?
• Who is in your community? Who is not? Why or why not?
Do:
• Invite others over to celebrate Hanukkah. Don’t just include the people you usually invite— include neighbors, friends from other faiths or cultures, and others to share the light and joy of the holiday with more people.
Night 2 – Courage / Ometz Lev Night 2 – Courage / Ometz Lev
Monday, December 19, 2022
Learn:
On Hanukkah we tell the story of the Maccabees, who fought for a shared society for all, and, to be able to observe their faith; and they were rewarded with the miracle of oil. Lighting the Hanukkah menorah reminds us of the importance of combatting hate and building understanding and friendship with our neighbors. Traditionally, once lit, menorahs are displayed by windows in order to publicize the miracle of Hanukkah and this value.
Ask:
• What makes you unique or different? How do you use your distinct qualities? How do you illuminate your strengths every day?
• How do you stand up for your beliefs?
• When have you been courageous?
Do:
•
As a family act out the story of Hanukkah with a twist
• First, act out the story from the perspective of a bystander
• Next, act out the story from the perspective of an ally or upstander
• Finally, act out the story with internal courage
Night 3 – JOY / Simcha Night 3 – Joy / Simcha
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Learn:
Hanukkah is a holiday for family and friends to come together in joy and celebration! The dreidel game was created so Jews could study the Torah (The Five Books of Moses) and learn Hebrew in secret after Greek King Antiochus IV outlawed Jewish religious worship in 175 BCE. Today, we play as a way to celebrate a rich history and have fun with friends and family!
Ask:
• Is the dreidel game for kids, adults or everyone? Should adults still play games? Why or why not?
• How can we add joy to the world?
Do: Play the dreidel game! Here’s how:
1) Players start off with an equal number of tokens (any amount between 10–15), usually using chocolate coins known as ‘gelt’ or other small treats or coins.
2) Sitting around a hard surface like a table or floor, everyone puts in one token or piece of gelt towards the pot.
3) Then everyone goes around in turns to spin the dreidel. Depending on which side is facing up when it stops spinning, the player gives or takes game pieces from the pot: נ (nun): nothing happens and it is the next player’s turn ג (gimmel): the player takes everything that is currently in the pot ה (hey): the player gets half of the pieces in the pot, rounding up if necessary ש (shin) or in Israel פ (peh): the player adds one coin to the pot
Once a player is out of pieces, they’re “out”. The last player standing wins!
Night 4 – The miracles / Al Hanissim Night 4 – The miracles / Al Hanissim
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Learn: During Hanukkah, a special prayer, Al Hanissim (for the miracles), highlights the “miraculous” deliverance that the Jewish people were granted by courageous individuals. Traditionally, miracles can be things that defy scientific explanation, like when there was only enough oil to light the Temple’s menorah for one day, but it lasted for eight. Miracles can also be natural, commonplace events that, when we pause and reflect on them, inspire our awe and wonder. The Maccabees’ victory despite being vastly outnumbered and in possession of much fewer resources is an example of this second kind of miracle.
Ask:
• What is a miracle the world could really use?
• What miracles are you grateful for?
• What would you consider daily miracles?
Do:
• Keep a family gratitude jar –each time you recognize a small miracle in your life, write it down and place it in the jar. Take time at the end of the week as a family to read everything that was placed in the jar
• Find 8 everyday miracles in your house, 1 for each night.
Night 5 – Bal Tachshit / do not waste or destroy Night 5 – Bal Tachshit / do not waste or destroy
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Learn: Our responsibility for the environment is set forth as laws in the Torah (The Five Books of Moses). When the days are shortest and the nights are darkest, it is easy to use up a lot of energy in our homes. However, we can be responsible stewards of the earth, even while we work to light up the darkness.
Ask:
• What can you do to take care of our earth? What are you already doing?
• Is leaving the lights on in a room when you are not there wasteful? Who is in charge of turning off the lights in our home?
• What can we do to conserve water/oil/light/paper/etc.?
Do:
• Play, “Guess the total of our electric bill.” (Closest to the right answer gets a prize!)
• As a Hanukkah gift to your family, do a home energy audit (https://bit.ly/energyaudit22) to save money and natural resources.
Night 6 – Darchai Shalom / Paths of Peace Night 6 – Darchai Shalom / Paths of Peace
Friday, December 23, 2022
Learn:
Judaism teaches that we are not only responsible for taking care of each other within the Jewish community, but that we also have that same obligation to friends and neighbors from the larger communities we call home.
Ask:
• What is friendship?
• How do you show you care about your friends?
• How can you make a new friend?
Do:
• Do you have a neighbor whom you have never met? Bake some cookies, make a card, and extend a hand of friendship. You never know where that peaceful path may lead.
• During this week of Hanukkah, invite a friend and their family over to light the menorah with you.
Night 7 – let there be light / Yehieh Or Night 7 – Let there be light / Yehieh Or
Saturday, December 24, 2022
Learn: The very moment you were born, the first thing you saw was light! Light plays an important role in our everyday lives and in the way we understand the world. The speed of light serves as the universal measuring tool. And, when we experience seeing, we see not simply objects themselves, but, their light. Light helps us to understand and to uncover hidden things in the world, expanding our vision and thinking.
Ask:
• What has light helped you uncover?
• What is something new you have recently discovered about the world?
Do:
• Learn something new about Judaism at myjewishlearning.com
• Explore and add a new ritual to your family’s Hanukkah celebration at @modernritual
Night 8 – Rededication / Hanukkah Night 8 – Rededication / Hanukkah
Sunday, December 25, 2022
Learn: Hanukkah means (re)dedication in Hebrew. After defeating the Greeks, the Jewish people were overjoyed by their victory and reclaimed the Temple. Because of this the festival of light represents joy. After lighting candles for seven nights, on the eighth night, eight candles with dancing flames engulf us with warmth, comfort, and miracles.
Ask: • What else do you wish lasted eight days?
• To what are you really dedicated? How can we rededicate ourselves to these values all year long?
Do: • Reflect back on the other nights’ values. Make a plan to rededicate your family to one, some or all of them.
New to Judaism and want to learn more about Jewish people, ideas or practices?
Contact a member of the LiNK Jewish Buffalo team for more information.
Mike Steklof: mike@buffalojewishfederation.org
Robin Kurss: robin@buffalojewishfederation.org
Susan Goldberg Schwartz: susan@buffalojewishfederation.org
Miriam Abramovich: miriam@buffalojewishfederation.org buffalojewishfederation.org/link
Credits:
Segments of this booklet were adapted from 8 Nights of Hanukkah Values, created by The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. Replication of any part of this work—with attribution—is encouraged for use in educational or personal frameworks.
