WINTER HOLIDAYS!
Winter Celebrations in The USA Christmas Hannukah – the Jewish “Festival of Lights” Kwanzaa – Celebration of African-American heritage and culture The New Year’s Eve & New Years Day
Christmas in the US Christmas “season� begins after Thanksgiving There are many sales at the shops Many people decorate the outside of their homes
Many people decorate the inside too.
In my family On December 25th me and my extended family get together in Eugene. We exchange gifts Have a large lunch or dinner together I, sometimes, will go to the movie theater with friends in the evening of Christmas day.
Hannukah Because my father is Jewish, my family and I celebrate Hannukah in the winter also.
Hannukah is a Jewish festival It celebrates a miracle that occurred when the Romans controlled the lands of Israel/Palestine. There was oil to light lamps for 1 night but the light lasted for 8 nights.
The Menorah represents the nights of the miracle of the lights. Each night another candle is lit. The Menorah has 9 candle holders, 8 for the nights of Hannukah, and 1 that represents God. The Jewish Calendar is lunar, so the date of Hannukah changes every year.
Hannukah has traditional foods and games. Latkes- Potato pancakes.
Jelly donuts
Gelt- Chocolate Coins Gelt is used to play a game with a Dreidle (spinning top)
The Dreidle game
Usually, my family has one night with a large traditional dinner. We light the candles on the other nights of Hannukah, but don’t eat the traditional foods every night. Many Jewish families exchange presents for Hannukah, but because my mother is not Jewish, we give gifts for Christmas instead.