Hanukkah is often called the festival of lights, as one night’s supply of oil lasted eight nights - a true miracle!
During Hanukkah, people light the menorah, play games, exchange gifts, and, of course, bond over mouth-watering foods both savoury and sweet.
From latkes to jelly doughnuts, traditional dishes enjoyed during Hanukkah are typically fried foods where oil has a starring role. We’ve chosen a selection that reflect what Jewish people around the globe eat, so dig in and we hope you enjoy spending time with your family and friends this Hanukkah.
HAPPY HANUKKAH!
A menorah is a candelabra with nine candles. The larger candle, known as the shamash, is used to light the smaller candles. The candles represent the miracle of the lasting oil and how it grew more powerful as each day passed.
People fry food during Hanukkah as a symbol of the miraculous oil that burned for eight nights.
People often give children money (gelt) and chocolate coins wrapped in foil for Hanukkah.
Hanukkah doesn’t fall on the same day every year. The Jewish calendar follows the cycle of the moon just like other holidays like Lunar new year, Diwali and Eid al-Adha to name a few.
Kids play with dreidels during Hanukkah. Each of the four sides of the spinning tops are printed with a different Hebrew letter you can either win or lose gelt by spinning the dreidel, each letter signifying the next move.
In North America, traditional potato latkes are popular, but for those celebrating in India, burfi is eaten instead - also a popular food during Diwali and Eid!
Sufganiyot (fried jelly donuts) are also enjoyed around the world. In Morocco, many people make a version called Sfeni that are deep-fried and taste more like fritters or beignets.
Hanukkah Recipes
