Chanukah begins at sundown on Sunday, December 18, and ends at sundown on Monday, December 26. As your prepare for this Jewish festival, we thought it was only proper to review a few fun Chanukah facts and share our Chanukah-themed coloring page for kids. More so, we’ve got great recipes, perfect for the occasion.

8 Facts to Know About Chanukah

  1. Chanukah is a Jewish festival celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the 2nd century B.C.
  2. The Hebrew word Chanukah translates to dedication in English.
  3. After the Maccabees’ victory over the Greeks, there was only enough oil to last for one day in the Temple. However, the oil miraculously burned for eight days. Therefore, for centuries, the Jewish people have been lighting a menorah to commemorate this miracle.
  4. It is tradition to eat fried foods during Chanukah, like latkes and sufganiyot, because the oil and oily foods represent the Chanukah miracle.
  5. It is said that the game of dreidel was invented when Jewish children were forbidden from studying Torah. A legend explained that when a Greek official would come close to the Jewish children, they would quickly put away their texts and begin playing with spinning tops.
  6. Gifts were not always given during Chanukah, and it was more common to give children gelt with hopes it would teach them about charity and giving back.
  7. Adam Sandler’s “The Chanukah Song” is said to be the most popular Chanukah song of the 20th century.
  8. The world’s largest menorah resides in New York City and is a whopping 32 feet tall.

A Chanukah Coloring Pages

If you are looking for an activity for your kids or grandkids this Chanukah, check out our coloring page. It’s a great activity for any night of Chanukah!

Delicious Chanukah Recipes

It’s time to shake things up and try Birthright Israel alum Mallory Hope’s veggie latke recipe this year. Complete with zucchini and carrots, it’s a new spin on a classic that still pairs great with sour cream or applesauce. Or we have spiced-sweet potato latkes that are sure to wow your guests. And, if you’re in the mood for something sweet, you can make this Chanukah Surprise Cake!