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Celebrate Hanukkah

Activities to Make, Play and Eat with Your Child

By Marie-Helen Goyetche

Hanukkah, also called the Feast of Lights, has been celebrated for more than 2000 years. It commemorates the heroic Maccabees when they joined forces with the Jewish people to fight against the king and his army. It took many years of death and destruction, but they won the war.

In every temple, they lit the lamp that burns all day and all night. The Jewish people were horrified when they discovered they only had enough oil for the lamp to be lit for just one day. To make new oil it would take eight days. Then an amazing thing happened. The oil that was only to have been enough to light one day lasted eight days until the new oil was ready.

That's where the Feast of Lights got its name – from the celebration of the miracle of the lit lamp. For eight days in early December – on the 25th day of the Jewish month "Kislev" – the Jewish people light a candle. The middle and biggest candle is used to light the other candles.

Hanukkah is a time to celebrate with family and friends at feasts and gatherings. Games and gift giving are part of the ritual. To commemorate the miracle of oil, many foods are fried. Below you'll find a Latkes recipe (potato pancakes) you can make with your child, and easy crafts and games for your preschooler.

You'll need:
6 medium potatoes
1 small onion
1 teaspoon of salt
1 beaten egg
3 tablespoons of flour or bread crumbs
c teaspoon of baking powder
Oil

Wash, peel and grate the potatoes. Set on a clean dish towel to absorb the excess liquid. Grate the onion. In a bowl mix together the potatoes, onions, salt and egg. Mix well. Add the flour and baking powder and mix again. Preheat the oil in a frying pan. Drop spoonfuls of the potato mixture into the hot oil and brown on both sides. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with cinnamon or serve with applesauce or sour cream.

Want to see more?

• Hanukkah: A History of Tradition
• Holiday Crafts: Gifts Kids Can Make Themselves
• Holiday Headquarters
• Talk about it!