The Jewish celebration of Hanukkah is one of the highlights of the calendar for those of the faith outside of Israel. Whilst it is not widely celebrated in the Jewish homeland it is very much a part of the Jewish culture outside of it. Hanukkah has become a celebration and acknowledgement of a full or part Jewish heritage for many that have settled in the Western world and Europe. It is especially true in the USA. In Europe Jews will look to suppliers like cazenovejudaica.com/uk/hanukkah-candles/chanukah to order the candles for the big day.
The festival starts on the 25th day of Kislev, usually on the 18th of December according to the Christian calendar, and it lasts for 9 days. The main part of the celebration is the lighting of the Hanukkah candles. For this, a menorah is needed. Each night a new candle is lit to commemorate how a tiny amount of oil, which should have only been able to last for one night, actually lasted for 9.
As for food, it really is a wonderful opportunity to get together with family and friends to enjoy a huge meal. Beef brisket is by far the most popular main meal and it’s usually accompanied by some potato latkes. Chocolate Hanukkah gelt coins are passed around before the jam-filled treats of Sufganiyot. These are basically what we would think of as doughnuts. Still delicious whatever they’re called.
