First Day of Chanukah in Australia

Many Jewish communities in Australia observe the first day of Chanukah, which marks the start of Chanukah, also known as Hanukkah or Festival of Lights. Chanukah is an eight-day Jewish observance that remembers the Jewish people's struggle for religious freedom.

Chanukah is a time for gift-giving. ©iStockphoto.com/MarkCoffeyPhoto

What do people do?

Many Jewish Australians start observing Chanukah on the evening before on the first day of Chanukah, as many Jewish observances begin at sunset on the day before. The first day of Chanukah is marked as the 25th day of the month of Kislev in the Jewish calendar. The Chanukah period lasts for 8 days up until the second day of the month of Tevet.

Chanukah (or Hanukkah) often starts with special blessings at sunset the day before the 25th of Kislev. Many Jewish people light the hanukiah (or chanukkiyah), which is a type of candelabrum. Some state governments, such as the New South Wales government, have issued public statements to people celebrating Chanukah, reminding them to be aware of fire hazards associated with Chanukah, particularly with regard to using oil and lighting candles.

Chanukah is a festive period for Jewish communities throughout Australia. Events involving meals, socializing, and games are held in venues such as parks and beaches. Meals that are offered during these events are often foods fried in olive oil, such as potato cakes, and different fried breads. It is also a time for gift-giving so some people order gift baskets to give to others. Chanukah card games, board games and books are sold in Australia. A toy known as the dreidel is widely popular among both children and adults during Chanukah.

Public life

The first day of Chanukah is not a nationwide public holiday in Australia. Many Jewish schools have their school vacation fall around the same time of Chanukah.

Background

Chanukah commemorates the Jewish people’s successful rebellion against the Syrians in the Maccabean War in 162 BCE. A ritual cleansing and re-dedication of the Temple occurred after the Jewish people’s victory. It is believed that there was only enough consecrated oil to keep the lamp burning for one day but the small bottle of oil miraculously lasted for eight days. Chanukah, also known as Hanukkah, is referred as the Feast of Lights or Festival of Lights for this reason.

Moreover, the survival of Judaism over the many years is also celebrated during this period. The last day of Chanukah, which marks the end of Chanukah, falls on the eighth day of this period.

Symbols

The dreidel is a toy that is popular during the Chanukah celebrations. It is a spinning top with a different Hebrew letter inscribed in each of its four sides – the four letters form an acronym meaning “a great miracle happened here”. The hanukiah (or chanukkiyah) is a type of candelabrum that holds eight candles to commemorate the eight days that the oil burned and a ninth candle that sits apart, known as the shamash, or servant candle that lights the others. One candle is lit on the first night, another on the second, and so forth until all candles are lit on the last night.

About First Day of Chanukah in other countries

First Day of Chanukah Observances

Related holiday

• Last day of Chanukah ―Sunday, December 16, 2012

Other holidays in December 2012 in Australia

• First Sunday of Advent ―Sunday, December 2, 2012
• Feast of the Immaculate Conception ―Saturday, December 8, 2012
• Last day of Chanukah ―Sunday, December 16, 2012
• December Solstice ―Friday, December 21, 2012
• Christmas Eve ―Monday, December 24, 2012
• Christmas Day ―Tuesday, December 25, 2012
• Boxing Day ―Wednesday, December 26, 2012
• New Year's Eve ―Monday, December 31, 2012