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Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. The history centers on the miracle where a day's worth of oil burned for eight days in the temple's menorah.
Australia's Jewish community celebrates Hanukkah with similar traditions observed worldwide. These include:
Lighting of the Menorah: On the first day, one candle is lit on a nine-branched candelabrum called a menorah or hanukkiah. Each subsequent night, an additional candle is lit.
Dreidel: Children often play with a spinning top called a dreidel, which has four sides each marked with a Hebrew letter. It's part of a game that involves winning or losing tokens (usually chocolate coins called gelt).
Foods: Traditional foods fried in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts), are consumed to commemorate the miracle of oil.
Gatherings: Families and friends gather to share meals, exchange gifts, and often host or attend communal celebrations.
In Australia, public Hanukkah events may include menorah lightings in city centers, performances, and festivals showcasing Jewish culture. These events emphasize religious freedom and cultural heritage within the diverse Australian society.
