American Holidays Hanukkah
hi everyone I’m Alisha Chanukah is the
most popular Jewish holiday in the
United States it falls on a date
determined by the Jewish calendar but is
often very close to Christmas making for
a natural association between the two
holidays it’s also called the festival
of lights and commemorates the
rededication of the temple by the
Maccabees in the 2nd century BC a
particular toy is associated with
Hanukkah do you know which one will show
you the answer at the end of this video
Chanukah is one of the most important
Jewish holidays and is one that most
people in the United States are very
familiar with the distinctive menorah a
candelabra that is kindled as part of
the celebration is commonly associated
with the holiday by most people Jewish
or otherwise gift-giving is also
sometimes a part of this holiday even
though Hanukkah is not as widely
celebrated as Christmas in the United
States it’s a holiday that most people
are cognizant of and many non-jewish
people who have Jewish friends do
participate in it to some extent the
holiday is also sometimes celebrated by
secular Jews to keep the holiday season
alive for non-religious reasons
the name festival of lights comes from
the story behind Hanukkah according to
tradition the lights in the temple were
able to keep burning for eight straight
days despite only having enough oil to
keep burning for one day this tradition
is remembered today by the lighting of
the menorah this is the Hanukkah
tradition with which most non-jewish
people are familiar and the menorah is
widely known in the United States as an
emblem of Jewish people a Hanukkah gelt
is a small quantity of money
traditionally given at this time of year
chocolate coins though they possess no
monetary value have become popular over
the years as well and now here’s the
answer to the quiz do you know which toy
is associated with Hanukkah the dreidel
a particular type of top with which a
game is associated is a traditional
activity for children during this time
of year the dreidel is very commonly
recognized as a symbol of the Jewish
people in the US
how is this lesson did you learn
something interesting
are there any holidays with religious
significance in your country please
leave a comment in English class 101.com
until next time
you