Everything Is Illuminated|Everything Is Illuminated
Play Dreidel|Play Dreidel
Dreidel may look like child's play, but it is actually a high-stakes game of chance where players win and lose fortunes with the spin of a top. Newbies, take note: Not all dreidels are created equal: The quality ranges from the (lesser) lightweight plastic ones, to the (better) heavier wooden ones, to the (best) heavyweight metal dreidels. Just spin and let the games begin! Dreidel-playing instructions are here.
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Dreidel may look like child's play, but it is actually a high-stakes game of chance where players win and lose fortunes with the spin of a top. Newbies, take note: Not all dreidels are created equal: The quality ranges from the (lesser) lightweight plastic ones, to the (better) heavier wooden ones, to the (best) heavyweight metal dreidels. Just spin and let the games begin! Dreidel-playing instructions are here.
Eat Gelt|Eat Gelt
Whether you "took the pot" in a game of dreidel or was given one of the shiny golden coins as a gift, there is only one thing to do: Carefully peel off the metallic foil wrapper and pop the disc into your mouth. No one knows the exact origins of Hanukkah gelt, but one popular theory says it is based on the coins that were minted to commemorate the Maccabee victory over the ancient Greeks (more on that soon).
Sing Songs
There's "I Have a Little Dreidel" with its resounding chorus of "Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel," but there are other Hanukkah songs around, too. Take "Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah," "Ma'Oz Tzur (Rock of Ages)" or "Sivivon" and, yes, there is that Hanukkah song too (thank you, Adam Sandler). If your crew is not the singing-out-loud type, put on a Hanukkah-themed album, such as The Klezmatics's "Happy Joyous Hanukkah" with Woody Guthrie. (Who knew he wrote Hanukkah songs?)
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There's "I Have a Little Dreidel" with its resounding chorus of "Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel," but there are other Hanukkah songs around, too. Take "Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah," "Ma'Oz Tzur (Rock of Ages)" or "Sivivon" and, yes, there is that Hanukkah song too (thank you, Adam Sandler). If your crew is not the singing-out-loud type, put on a Hanukkah-themed album, such as The Klezmatics's "Happy Joyous Hanukkah" with Woody Guthrie. (Who knew he wrote Hanukkah songs?)
Light the Candles|Light the Candles
Every night, light one candle to represent each day of Hanukkah (that's one on the first night, two on the second, etc.). Use the shamash—an extra, often taller candle—to light the others. (The shamash has its own special place in the menorah, which is why there are nine candle slots for only eight days.) Never blow out a menorah candle—simply let it burn down until it naturally extinguishes.
Tell the Hanukkah Story
Around 200 BC in Judea, the evil King Antiochus IV Epiphanes outlawed the Jewish religion, killing thousands and desecrating the holy Second Temple in Jerusalem. Judah Maccabee led a rebellion, and after a tough victory, rebuilt the temple and—more importantly—relit its menorah. There was only enough oil to light the menorah for one day, but it miraculously remained lit for eight. Thus, the eight-day-long celebration of Hanukkah. For a more detailed version, click here.
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Around 200 BC in Judea, the evil King Antiochus IV Epiphanes outlawed the Jewish religion, killing thousands and desecrating the holy Second Temple in Jerusalem. Judah Maccabee led a rebellion, and after a tough victory, rebuilt the temple and—more importantly—relit its menorah. There was only enough oil to light the menorah for one day, but it miraculously remained lit for eight. Thus, the eight-day-long celebration of Hanukkah. For a more detailed version, click here.
Decorate the House|Decorate the House
The more lights the merrier! Hang strands of blue and white lights around windows, doors—heck, even a Hanukkah bush, if you like. Blue and white are classic Hanukkah colors, anything with a Star of David theme works and for some reason, colorful construction paper chains scream, "Hanukkah!" If you're crafty, make a menorah (think: nine screws mounted on plywood) or cut out a flame-shaped crown, and become your own menorah.
MORE: 10 Best Hanukkah Books
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The more lights the merrier! Hang strands of blue and white lights around windows, doors—heck, even a Hanukkah bush, if you like. Blue and white are classic Hanukkah colors, anything with a Star of David theme works and for some reason, colorful construction paper chains scream, "Hanukkah!" If you're crafty, make a menorah (think: nine screws mounted on plywood) or cut out a flame-shaped crown, and become your own menorah.
MORE: 10 Best Hanukkah Books
