The significance of Hanukkah centers on the 2nd-century BCE Maccabean Revolt, when Jewish rebels (the Maccabees) fought against Syrian-Greeks to rededicate the Temple in Jerusalem after it was desecrated.

Commemorating this victory with an 8-day festival, celebrating the miracle of a small jar of oil miraculously burning for eight days, symbolizing light over darkness and Jewish perseverance. People celebrate Hanukkah by lighting a menorah (hanukkiah) nightly for eight nights, starting with one candle and adding one each night, saying prayers, singing songs, playing the dreidel game, and eating foods fried in oil like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (donuts) to commemorate the miracle of the oil, often exchanging gifts and gelt (chocolate coins) too.

They do this privately with family and friends or they do this with everyone from the community at a festival called the festival of lights. It is different from Christmas but also similar in the way that they still give presents to each other and celebrate with family. It is cool to hear about the differences that each culture has especially during the holidays because not everyone believes in the same thing.

We always hear about Christmas but don’t know the significance of other holidays we celebrate on the same day or around the same time. All that matters is that people are getting together and spreading joy to one another whether it’s with family, friends or even the community.