Another big winter celebration in the USA
is Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday celebrated by
Jews around the world. It centres around the
rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem
and is observed for eight nights starting
on the 25th day of Kislev. This could be any
time from late November to late December.
The candle that is lit each night during the
celebration is a nine-branched candelabrum –
the menorah. Some of the songs sung include
Ma’oz Tzur, Oh Chanukah or the Dreidel
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Song. The foods traditionally eaten are latkes
(shredded potatoes, grated onions, flour,
salt and eggs) and doughnuts. The dreidel is
a four-sided spinning top that children play
with during Hanukkah. Each side is imprinted
with a Hebrew letter. The letters are
acronyms for Nes Gadol Hayah Sham which
translates into ‘a great miracle happened
here’; referring to a miracle in the Beit
Hamikdash temple. Hanukkah gelt (chocolate
coins or money) is given out to children.