What does Chanukah celebrate?

Chanukah commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabees reclaimed it, and the tradition that a single day's oil for the Temple menorah lasted eight days.

How do you light a menorah for Chanukah?

One additional candle is lit each night using the shamash (helper candle), starting with one candle on the first night and building up to all eight candles on the final night.

Do I need to attend synagogue to celebrate Chanukah?

No. Chanukah is primarily a home-based holiday centered on lighting the menorah, and most of its traditions, like latkes and dreidel, don't require synagogue attendance at all.

Is gift-giving a traditional part of Chanukah?

Gift-giving, especially one gift per night, is a widespread custom in North America, though it developed more recently than the holiday's ancient origins. Chocolate gelt tied to dreidel games is an older, more traditional treat.

Can interfaith families celebrate Chanukah alongside other holidays?

Yes, many interfaith households incorporate Chanukah traditions alongside other December celebrations. There's no single required approach, and a rabbi or Jewish educator can offer guidance specific to your family.

Chanukah for Families of Every Background

Quick answer: Chanukah is an eight-night Jewish holiday, usually falling in December, that celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem and the “miracle of the oil.” Celebrating just takes a menorah (hanukkiah), candles, and a willingness to light one more each night — it’s a low-barrier holiday that welcomes interfaith families, newcomers, and every level of observance.

What is Chanukah, really?

Chanukah (also spelled Hanukkah) commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after a small group of Jewish fighters, the Maccabees, reclaimed it more than two thousand years ago. According to tradition, a single day’s worth of oil for the Temple’s menorah lasted eight days — the “miracle of the oil” that gives the holiday its eight nights. It’s worth knowing that, in terms of Jewish religious significance, Chanukah is actually a relatively minor holiday — its prominence in North America grew in part alongside its calendar proximity to the December holiday season. That history is part of what makes it such an approachable, low-pressure holiday for families of every background.

The core ritual: lighting the menorah

Each night of Chanukah, one additional candle is lit on a nine-branched candelabra called a menorah or hanukkiah (the ninth branch, the shamash, is used to light the others). Candles are typically lit at nightfall and placed somewhere visible, like a window, as a way of publicizing the holiday’s message. By the eighth night, all eight candles (plus the shamash) are lit together.

Night 1: light 1 candle plus the shamash
Night 2: light 2 candles plus the shamash
…and so on through Night 8, when all 8 candles plus the shamash are lit

You don’t need a family heirloom menorah to get started — any hanukkiah, including simple or homemade ones, works. What matters is showing up each night.

Food, games, and traditions

Fried foods

Because of the oil miracle at the center of the story, fried foods are a Chanukah staple. Latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts) are the two most iconic options, but any fried food fits the spirit of the holiday.

Dreidel

The dreidel is a four-sided spinning top marked with Hebrew letters that traditionally stand for the phrase “a great miracle happened there.” It’s used in a simple gambling-style game, often played for chocolate coins (gelt), pennies, or candy — a favorite with kids and a great icebreaker for guests who are new to the holiday.

Gelt and gifts

Gift-giving on Chanukah, especially one gift per night, is a widespread custom in North America, though it’s a relatively modern addition rather than an ancient one. Chocolate “gelt” (coins) is a classic treat tied to the holiday’s dreidel games.

Celebrating without a lot of background

Chanukah is one of the easiest Jewish holidays to bring into a home for the first time, because so much of it is visual, hands-on, and kid-friendly:

You can light candles without reciting the full traditional blessings if you’re not ready for that yet — even a quiet moment of lighting and reflection is meaningful
Interfaith households often blend Chanukah traditions comfortably alongside other December celebrations; there’s no single “correct” way to do this, and if you want guidance specific to your family’s situation, a conversation with a rabbi or Jewish educator can help
Chanukah doesn’t require synagogue attendance — most of the tradition happens at home
It’s a wonderful holiday to invite friends and neighbors of any background to share, since the story and rituals are easy to explain as you go

Finding a Chanukah community near you

Many communities host public menorah lightings, Chanukah fairs, and family parties that are open to everyone, regardless of affiliation. Check Jewish Events to see what’s happening locally, or browse the Community Explorer to find Jewish community and resources near you.

Making Chanukah part of your family’s rhythm

If Chanukah becomes a tradition you want to build on year after year, a few resources can help:

Chessed often lists opportunities to share latkes, gifts, or gelt with families who could use extra support this time of year
Families settling into a new community for the holidays can browse Real Estate or Rentals
Local Jobs listings can help you put down roots near community events like public menorah lightings
Hosting a Chanukah gathering others could join? You can add a listing to help them find you

A holiday about light in the dark

Whatever your background or level of observance, Chanukah’s central image — adding one more light each night, during the darkest time of year — is simple enough for anyone to embrace. That accessibility is exactly why it has become one of the most widely celebrated Jewish holidays across North America.

By the HeimishMart Community Desk — HeimishMart is the community marketplace for Jewish homes, jobs, and local life across North America.