Families worldwide gather each year to celebrate Hanukkah / Chanukah. This eight-day-long holiday, rich in history and tradition, is actually considered one of the more minor Jewish holidays, although some families celebrate it with more enthusiasm in honor of its distinct cultural importance giving children a memorable experience during this season.
Hanukkah follows the Jewish calendar, spans eight days and typically falls in December in the Gregorian calendar, though its exact dates vary each year. Hanukkah commemorates the miraculous event during the rededication of the temple, where a small amount of oil, sufficient for only one day, remarkably burned for eight nights. The lighting of the menorah symbolizes this profound moment in Jewish history. Most often the celebration includes enjoying foods fried in oil like latkes - special pancakes often made of potatoes or sufganiyot, a type of donut to remind us of the miracle of the oil. In ancient times while rededicating the temple after it's destruction they found only one day's worth of oil to light the menorah but it lasted eight nights.
Against the backdrop of the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel, this year's Hanukkah celebrations takes on added significance for many Jewish families. In the wake of ongoing challenges and the rise of anti-Semitism, it's especially meaningful to remember Hanukkah is a holiday that celebrates light, unity, resilience, and hope.
Whether or not you are Jewish, take the opportunity this Hanukkah to come together to celebrate, share in the joy, and embrace the diversity of traditions that weave our world into a beautiful tapestry of understanding and unity. Explore the warmth of community festivities by attending public menorah lightings and Hanukkah celebrations open to all in your area. Join your neighbors in celebrating Hanukkah together. Visit the Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas event calendar to find these heartwarming community events, and join your neighbors in celebrating Hanukkah together. Don't forget to savor some latkes and other delightful holiday treats.
For many families, it wouldn't be Hanukkah without a game of dreidel or treats of latkes and sufganiyot. We are grateful to share the joy four of our Macaroni KID families find in their favorite Hanukkah family traditions, from the lighting of menorahs to celebrate the miracle of the Festival of Lights to finding laughter with a favorite Adam Sandler movie.
Sharing the meaning behind Hanukkah
 |  |
One of my favorite Hanukkah traditions is going to my daughters' secular - non-religious preschool and school classes to share about the holiday with their classmates. It isn't to compete with Christmas, but rather to help understand that:
- Not everyone celebrates Christmas, and that’s more than OK.
- Hanukkah is NOT the “Jewish Christmas” or even a major holiday.
- Hanukkah has some fun traditions! For my kids, I love that they’re able to feel special FOR celebrating Hanukkah – rather than excluded or odd.
The basic observances are simple and approachable, like lighting the menorah, eating foods with oil - to commemorate the miracle of the oil for the lamp lasting 8 days, and songs that are simple — all things you can do at home. To me this makes it approachable, and allows for celebrating the themes of rededication, sharing the light — tradition says to display the menorah proudly in your window — and overcoming challenges, which is relatable every year.
Want to learn more? PJ library has lots of great resources.
— Aaron Seligman, publisher of Macaroni KID Madison, Wis.
How many ways can you say Hanukkah?
Confused because you see Hanukkah spelled different ways? There's a reason for that! Hanukkah has various acceptable spellings due to its translation to English from Hebrew. Common alternatives include "Chanukah" and "Hanukah."
 |
Collecting menorahs
I have been collecting menorahs for decades. I display them in my family room all year long. Each year it is super exciting for us to decide which one we will use for Hanukkah. I especially love the one I have that is a beach-themed menorah (pictured above). They all bring back special memories of celebrating the holidays with our kids.
— Jamie Ratner, Macaroni KID CEO
A special tradition
 |  |
My kids made menorahs in preschool, and we go back to our synagogue every year to all light our menorahs together.
— Jessica Kline, publisher of Macaroni KID Clifton - Montclair, N.J.
 |
Food, games . . . and an Adam Sandler movie
Growing up, we would light the menorah each night, play dreidel with pennies or candy, visit family and eat latkes and donuts then open presents. As far as gifts go, my sibling and I either got one big present, something smaller each night, or something in between. As we got older, the presents lessened or we might just get some gelt — that's Hebrew and Yiddish for money. I've carried on a similar tradition with my boys.
For my family, Hanukkah is all about the latkes! My hubby likes them plain, my boys like them covered in ketchup, and I'm more old school with sour cream and applesauce. It also wouldn't be Hanukkah without some sufganiyot, similar to a jelly donut.
Get the recipe: These Sweet Potato Latkes are a Hanukkah Favorite
Another fun thing we do is read Hanukkah books and watch Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights. I have to warn you, though — it's PG-13 and full of potty humor. Not appropriate for younger kids!
—Brenna Gutell, publisher of Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas, Calif.
Family Fun Ways to Celebrate Hanukkah / Chanukah
Visit the Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas event calendar, you'll find many community Chanukah / Hanukkah celebrations happening and most are free and open to everyone.
Click on the links below for complete details to each event
Thursday, December 7, 2023
- 🕎 Chanukah on the Pier - Malibu
- 🕎 Unite with Light Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Celebration - Camarillo
- 🕎 Chanukah Festival - Newbury Park
- 🕎 - Chanukah Celebration and Menorah Lighting Ceremony - Simi Valley
Sunday, December 10, 2023
- 🕎 Chanukah Fun Fair - Simi Valley
- 🕎 Chanukah Celebration - Topanga
- 🕎 Light Up Downtown: Chanukah Concert & Festival - Ventura
- 🕎 Free Chanukah Family Festival - Thousand Oaks
- 🕎 Chanukah Festival Unite for Light - Moorpark
- 🕎 Chanukah Festival at Kids World - Oak Park
Monday, December 11, 2023
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Know of a Hanukkah event not listed here? Please submit it here and we'll add it to this list!
 B.Gutell |
Happy Hanukkah!
