Hanukkah

[Greenjumper72]

Hi Jmners. I am half Jewish on my dad's side but he was not in the least bit observant, meaning that I was brought up with no Jewish traditions, and I really do mean absolutely none. He is long gone, as are any relatives I could have asked, hence turning to your good selves :)

This year I have decided to buy a Hanukkah menorah and light the candles. Our Christmas is secular and I think it would be nice to also have a secular Hanukkah, as an acknowledgement of that part of our heritage. I have two teenagers who are not easily enthused, but potentially could be with the right food ;) I just have no idea where to start. Chocolate coins and doughnuts? (Or are doughnuts for something else? Sorry , I wasn't kidding about being clueless.)

I hope it's OK to ask this on here 🥰

You are right about doughnuts.
doughnuts and latkes are the biggies I think!
you light a candle each night so on the first night you would have one candle plus the server candle, 2nd night, two candles plus the server candle and so on…
we’ve always had a small game of dreidel, but if it’s the first time you’re doing it and yo ur kids are teens they may not be as interested.
I hope you enjoy finding out more bout that part of your heritage!

Useful site for more info x

www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/102911/jewish/What-Is-Hanukkah.htm

My parents were German, so the present thing was pretty simple. The first night we lit the candles, sang, got some gelt (the gold coins,) pretended to play dreidel and got a book or some socks. The other 7 nights it was candles and singing and that was that. My American friends got presents EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. I was so envious.

Oh this is fantastic- thank you all so much! I will follow up the link too. Thanks again!

Our family tradition was 7 small gifts and then a large gift on the last night. So like a book or crayons or something and then one bigger thing. And only for children, adults didn’t get gifts.

we are big fans of latkes but only make them once as it’s a massive faff. We live in Scotland now so have them with smoked salmon, sour cream and capers :)

Thistle, that is a fun way to do it and I wish I had thought of that when DS was little. Makes the end of the holiday more exciting when the big present is at the end.

We adapted it slightly now and the big gift is for Shabbat Chanukah as we sometimes have a bit of a rush on the other nights with ballet and football and whatnot. And the kids were keen to do a gift for me so we have a night I get a gift and a night we do a donation gift (we go shopping for a food bank donation) but otherwise it’s like this - a handful of small things and one big thing.

We call that day Shabbanukkah.

How lovely to read your post @Greenjumper72
https://www.chabad.org.uk/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/103902/jewish/How-To.htm
Some great info and recipes above. Make latkes if you can (basically a flat rosti)
You can also contact chabad to enquire about a free chanukiah as last year they gave them out and each person can light their own chanukiah.
Wishing you Chag sameach.

Thanks again to all of you ❤️

Sorry, one other question... I've just read this:

To complete the ritual on all eight nights with one menorah, you will need a total of 44 candles per menorah. Most boxes of Hanukkah candles contain 45.

Does everyone do this? I'd assumed 9 candles would be OK- do you just bin the used ones every day?

They are left to burn all the way down like Shabbat candles

Aha - so you light them in the evening and they burn all the way down before you go to bed?

Hanukkah candles are typically quick burning. You light them at sundown each of the eight nights, 1 and the shamash, then 2 and the shamash and so on to the eighth night. That's why you need so many. We get ours from our synagogue. Enjoy cleaning your hanukkiah--it's a job I hate. Some Jews use actual oil, which, of course, is what the story is all about

Thank you! I'd somehow missed that bit!

@Greenjumper72 yes you can get Chanukah candles from some supermarkets if there is a kosher section they are colourful and in a small box and burn fast (around 20mins). Each night you light eg - night one - the Shamash (helper candle which you use to light the others) and 1 candle (so 2 on the first night)
Night two - shamash and 2 candles (so 3 total) and so on until the final night when all 8 candles are lit by the shamash candle.

You may also he able to get the candles on Amazon.

If you have a local Chabad they give out Chanukah pack with candles and Chanukiahs and usually the box has the blessings on it. Or you can order online from Sabeny or similar. They sell the treats and such too so you can have a look. Enjoy!

Thank you! There is no synagogue or much of a Jewish community where I am, except for a small group attached to our local university. I'll order some online. I am pretty excited!

We have latkes on Christmas Eve, so merging Christmas and Chanukah traditions (and we also ate matzo at Easter).

Does anyone else call the shamash candle the diener?