First Day of Hanukkah in United States

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

Hanukkah gifts wrapped and ready to be given.

©iStockphoto.com/MarkCoffeyPhoto

What do people do?

Jewish communities in the United States celebrate the first day of Hanukkah on the 25th day of the month of Kislev in the Jewish calendar. The Hanukkah period lasts for eight days and is celebrated from the 25th day of Kislev to the second day of Tevet. The first night of Hanukkah (or Chanukah) 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.

Many Americans of Jewish faith also eat food fried in olive oil, such as potato cakes, and different fried breads. Hanukkah dishes include sufganiot (Hanukkah donuts), potato latkes (pancakes), mandelbrot (this can be sliced like a hard bread), and rugelach (pastry that with different fillings). The first day of Hanukkah is the start of a celebratory period in which a four-sided toy called dreidel is used for games. The first night of Hanukkah is also a night when people sing traditional songs to celebrate Hanukkah. Gift-giving is also popular at this time of the year.

Public life

The first day of Hanukkah is not a federal public holiday in the United States. Some Jewish schools have their school vacation fall around the same time of Hanukkah.

Background

Hanukkah commemorates the Jewish people’s successful rebellion against the Greeks 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. Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, 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 Hanukkah, which marks the end of Hanukkah, falls on the eighth day of this period.

Symbols

The dreidel is a toy that is popular during the Hanukkah 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 Hanukkah in other countries

First Day of Hanukkah Observances

Related holiday

• Last day of Hanukkah ―Thursday, December 5, 2013

Other holidays in November 2013 in United States

• All Saints' Day ―Friday, November 1, 2013
• All Souls' Day ―Saturday, November 2, 2013
• Daylight Saving Time ends ―Sunday, November 3, 2013
• Diwali/Deepavali ―Sunday, November 3, 2013
• Muharram/Islamic New Year ―Tuesday, November 5, 2013
• International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict ―Wednesday, November 6, 2013
• World Science Day for Peace and Development ―Sunday, November 10, 2013
• Veterans Day ―Monday, November 11, 2013
• World Diabetes Day ―Thursday, November 14, 2013
• World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day ―Thursday, November 14, 2013
• International Day for Tolerance ―Saturday, November 16, 2013
• World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims ―Sunday, November 17, 2013
• International Men's Day ―Tuesday, November 19, 2013
• Universal Children's Day ―Wednesday, November 20, 2013
• Africa Industrialization Day ―Wednesday, November 20, 2013
• World Philosophy Day ―Thursday, November 21, 2013
• World Television Day ―Thursday, November 21, 2013
• International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women ―Monday, November 25, 2013
• Thanksgiving Day ―Thursday, November 28, 2013
• Black Friday ―Friday, November 29, 2013
• American Indian Heritage Day ―Friday, November 29, 2013
• Presidents' Day ―Friday, November 29, 2013
• International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People ―Friday, November 29, 2013
• Lincoln's Birthday ―Friday, November 29, 2013