Festivals of lights across different cultures have a common thread in celebrating 'light' instead of the 'dark.' 

Some examples are Christmas; Hanukkah; Kwanzaa; Lantern Festival (China); Diwali; Floating Lanterns (Thailand); and more.

The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, meaning “dedication,” commemorates a historical event in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE, when the Seleucid Greek Empire was the ruling power.

In 168 BCE, King Antiochus IV Epiphanes outlawed Jewish practice and defiled the Jewish Temple in the city by installing an altar to the pagan god Zeus and sacrificing pigs.

A small army of Jews, known as the Maccabees, rebelled against this religious persecution. They regained control over the Temple and removed the symbols of Zeus.

To celebrate their victory, the Jews wanted to rekindle the Temple’s Eternal Light, a seven-branch candelabra (Menorah) representing the seven days of the week.  But they found only enough oil to last for one day.  A miracle occurred, and the oil burned for eight days and nights.

Today, Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, lasts eight days and is celebrated at home by kindling candles. Unlike many Jewish holidays, Hanukkah is not mentioned in the Bible. 

On Sunday, December 11, 2022, Temple Sinai’s Religious School held a Hanukkah Celebration.  It included stories, crafts, dreidel (4-sided spinning-top) games, and cookie decorating.

From Left: Brooklyn and Milton Silvershein, Hope Roberts, Asher Lundin, and Harrison Levy

From Left: Isaac Goetting, Ryan Holman, Paula Hoffman, Elijah Smith, and Shane Levy

But the most crucial part was Tikkun Olam – repairing the world through acts of kindness.

Our families participated in Temple Sinai’s Social Action project by purchasing gifts that will be donated to ‘Shelter from the storm.’  Our students engaged in writing Happy Holiday cards, thus spreading Hanukkah joy by shining the light and encouraging compassion.