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Holiday: Hanukkah

Holiday: Hanukkah

The 25th of the Hebrew month of Kislev starts the eight days of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. Those who celebrate it often use special candleholder called a menorah, or hanukkiah, which holds 9 candles: one for each night and one called the shamash (“helper”) to help light the candles. They sing songs, play games, tell stories, and eat fried foods like potato pancakes (latkes) and jelly doughnuts (sufganiyot).

Quick Links: History, Celebrate, Activities, Meetings, Fun Patch Ideas

History of Hanukkah

Judea was ruled by the Seleucid Empire, a kingdom where Greek culture was strong, in the late second century BCE. Some Jews adopted the Greek ways of life, but many resisted. King Antiochus IV took over the Temple in Jerusalem and used it for sacrifices to other Gods. The Maccabee family led a revolt sometime around 160 BCE.

After Jerusalem was retaken, the Jewish Temple was cleansed in 164 BCE. The First Book of Maccabees dictates that the alter should be celebrated every year for eight days. A Jewish text called the Talmud (tractate Shabbat 21b), tells the story of after their victory. There was only enough pure oil to keep the Temple lamp burning for one day, but it lasted for eight. Fried foods and the nightly lighting of the candles help those who celebrate remember this story.

Hanukkah lasts eight nights.

Hanukkah starts at sundown on the eve of the 25th day of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar to the nightfall of the 8th day (which falls on the 2nd or 3rd of the following Hebrew month, Tevet, depending on the length of Kislev that year). The Hebrew calendar follows the moon, so dates can move around on the standard calendar, usually falling in late November or in December.

The nightly lighting of the menorah is a key celebration. One candle is lit on the first night, two candles are lit the second night, and so on until the eighth night. The shamash (“helper”) is lit every night. The candles are left to burn down entirely, and new candles replace them the following night. Special prayers are said during the lighting of the candles each evening. Then celebrations of singing, playing games, telling stories are done for the rest of the evening.

Hanukkah Gifts and Games

There is a custom of giving children Hanukkah gelt (coins), which has grown into a modern tradition of parents giving children a present each night and some families send Hanukkah cards. It was a minor festival until the late 1800s, when it became widely observed in the United States.

The dreidel is often associated with Hanukkah as a traditional Jewish game. The dreidel is a four sided spinning top, marked with the Hebrew letters Nun, Gimel, Hey, and Shin, often read as Nes Gadol Haya Sham, “A great miracle happened there.” Historians believe Jews borrowed the game itself from German-speaking neighbors. The German version uses G for ganz (all), H for halb (half), N for nischt (nothing), and S for “put in.” Jews have a legend that they used tops to hide forbidden Torah study, but historians have found no source for that story before 1890.

Countries That Celebrate

Note: We do our best to ensure accuracy. Traditions vary worldwide. This list may miss some countries.

Individual Country pages are still under construction.

Australia – Because Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, Hanukkah falls in the summer. The Festival of Lights is celebrated in the hot season instead of long winter nights.

Germany – Chanukka is how Hanukkah is spelled in Germany, and the menorah is called a Chanukka-Leuchter by the Berlin parliament. In the Pariser Platz beside Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate is a 10-meter Chanukka-Leuchter is lit each evening of the holiday. Many communities set up large public Chanukka-Leuchter.

Israel – Children spin sevivon, the Hebrew word for dreidel, coined in the 1800s. Pe replaces Shin, for Poh, “here” as the events of Hanukkah took place in Jerusalem. Schools close for the holiday week. A menorah, or hanukkiah, is on the Western Wall in Jerusalaem. Young runners have carried a Hanukkah torch from Modi’in to Jerusalem since 1944.

United Kingdom – After Menasseh ben Israel petitioned Oliver Cromwell, Jews were allowed to worship in England again after 1656. In 2014, a Prime Minister hosed a Chanukah reception at Downing Street. He joked that there were about 26 ways to spell the holiday’s name in English.

United States – American newspapers spoke of Hanukkah celebrations as early as 1874. Several U.S. Presidents have taken part in Hanukkah lighting ceremonies. An annual White House Hanukkah reception has occurred since 2001.

Activity Choices

Illustration about making a choice, showing a light bulb, branching arrows, question marks, and signs marked with correct and incorrect options.

Each individual country that celebrates will have a list of activities on their page that match their history and way to celebrate. Look at the Hanukkah activities to see all activities available. (Activities currently under construction.)

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Available Meeting Plans

  • None Currently Available

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Fun Patch Ideas

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Other Resources
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For More Fun Ideas and Plans

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Join the Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)

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Join the Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)

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See other Recommended Facebook Groups for some Scouting Organizations
(No official Groups)

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Published on November 13, 2026. Author:

Tia Kennard

Click Here -> To see information References:

Disclaimer: Content on The Badge Archive is based on the research and reference materials listed below. We encourage readers to review these sources directly for additional information.

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Short Link: https://thebadgearchive.com/hol-hanukkah/

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