| Hanukkah or Chanukah is a Jewish holiday | | | | each of the kids have their own menorah. Be |
| celebrated in December on the western calendar, | | | | creative let the kids choose their own or maybe |
| but on the Jewish calendar it always starts on the | | | | even make one. |
| 25th day of Kislev. The central focal point of the | | | | Secondly, what to eat for Hanukkah, no Hanukkah |
| holiday is the menorah. The menorah holds 9 | | | | celebration would be complete without potato |
| candles. Eight candles represent the eight days of | | | | Latkes. Flat patties made of grated potatoes with |
| Hanukkah and the ninth the Shamus is used to | | | | added ingredients and then fried in oil. Latkes are |
| light the other candles. The meaning behind | | | | always served with applesauce or sour cream. |
| Hanukkah is to celebrate the miracle of the light | | | | Blintzes a form of crepes that are usually filled |
| burning in the Temple. There was only enough oil | | | | with cheese are also very popular. They are |
| to last for one day and instead it burned for eight | | | | accompanied with jams and powdered sugar. All |
| days. This miracle is the basis for the holiday the | | | | types of meat are quite popular especially those |
| Festival Of Lights. | | | | meats that are breaded and fried in oil. A hearty |
| Decorating for Hanukkah, is not quite the same as | | | | Brisket is also a familiar site on the Hanukkah |
| decorating for Xmas.Stores are not filled with | | | | Table. No Jewish family would deny the |
| aisles of lighted decorations that sparkle and shine. | | | | importance of food during the Hanukkah |
| Being creative can be fun for your family. Large | | | | celebration. |
| banners saying Happy Hanukkah are a fun | | | | Lastly, if you asked a child what Hanukkah was |
| addition. Dreidels cut from brightly colored or | | | | about, they would tell you the gifts. Each of the |
| metallic paper and hung from the ceiling give a | | | | eight nights of Hanukkah a gift is given to each |
| festive look. Twinkle lights in white or blue can be | | | | child. It can be money or a gift. Because there are |
| hung around the room or even on the outside of | | | | so many gifts to be given keep in mind each gift |
| your house. But the key decoration in any Jewish | | | | does not have to be expensive. It is the tradition |
| home is the menorah. It can be electric or candle | | | | that matters. Some families give each child one |
| burning. The selection of menorahs in stores each | | | | big gift then small token gifts for the other nights. |
| year gets bigger and bigger. Perhaps this year | | | | It is important for your children to understand the |
| you can have one family menorah and then let | | | | true meaning of Hanukkah. |