Last Day of Hanukkah in the United Kingdom

History and Traditions:

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. The last day marks the conclusion of this celebration, which typically falls in December.

The central feature of Hanukkah is the nightly lighting of the menorah (or hanukkiah), a nine-branched candelabrum. On each night, an additional candle is lit by using a separate candle known as a "shamash" (helper or servant) until all eight candles are lit on the final night.

Activities on the Last Day:

• Lighting the Menorah: Jewish families in the UK light all eight candles on their menorahs to signify the culmination of Hanukkah.

• Reciting Prayers and Blessings: Special prayers and blessings are recited during candle lighting, including 'Haneirot Halalu' and 'Maoz Tzur'.

• Eating Traditional Foods: The consumption of food fried in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts), is a key tradition that commemorates the miracle of oil.

• Playing Dreidel: Children often play with dreidels (spinning tops), which have Hebrew letters inscribed on them representing "A great miracle happened there."

• Tzedakah (Charity): It's common for people to give to charity during this time as a way to spread kindness and communal responsibility.

• Gathering with Family and Friends: The last day is often marked by family get-togethers or community events celebrating Jewish culture and heritage.

In summary, while not a public holiday in the UK, Hanukkah holds cultural and religious significance for Jewish communities across Britain. The last day sees festivities peak with full menorahs being lit, traditional foods being enjoyed, and families taking time to reflect on themes of religious freedom and light triumphing over darkness.