New Dimension Chorus

Several Hanukiyot on the eighth night of the festival.
Official name Hebrew: חֲנֻכָּה or חנוכה

English translation: "Renewal/Rededication" (of the Temple in Jerusalem)
Also called Festival of Lights, Festival of Dedication
Observed by Jews in Judaism
Type Jewish

Significance One of two rabbinically ordained festivals. The Maccabees successfully rebelled against Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The Temple in Jerusalem was purified, and the wicks of the Menorah miraculously burned for eight days with oil enough for only one day.

Begins 25 Kislev
Ends 2 Tevet or 3 Tevet
2006 date sunset, December 15 to sunset, December 23
2007 date sunset, December 4 to sunset, December 12
2008 date sunset, December 21 to sunset, December 29

Celebrations Lighting candles each night of the festival in a special Hanukkah menorah (or hanukkiyah) in a visible location. Playing the dreidel (sevivon) game, eating foods fried in olive oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (doughnuts).
Related to Purim, as a rabbinically decreed holiday.

Grand Rabbi Israel Abraham Portugal of the Hasidic group Skullen lighting Hanukkah lights Hanukkah (Hebrew: חנוכה‎, also spelled Chanukah), also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday beginning on the 25th day of the month of Kislev, which may fall anytime from late November to late December. The festival is observed in Jewish homes by the kindling of lights on each night of the holiday - one on the first night, two on the second, and so on.