Michele Shrem
The special lights of Hanukah are so meaningful, and we need our light to keep shining and triumph over any darkness that surrounds us. Let’s elevate our celebrations this year as we gather around the menorah. We need to have in mind the faces of the hostages who have returned, as well as the souls who now have a final and peaceful resting place where they belong. May Hashem shine His countenance upon us.
This is what our community members had to say about their personal family traditions. The central commandment of Hanukah is the lighting of the candles, yet the ritual can often feel rushed. Everyone I spoke to felt that it is very important to slow down in order to really experience the power of light.
Community Member #1
“We have a tradition of spending a few minutes in complete darkness before we light the candles. Then, when the first candle is lit, piercing the darkness, we can see the room in the light. These few moments are very holy to us, and a time for special prayers. I then place the menorah in our front window so it is visible to the street to show the world our light.”
Community Member #2
“My family has a story night. It started when my kids were very young. I bought children’s Hanukah books, then moved on to letting them tell us stories that they learned in yeshivah, and then when they became older, we started to have more spiritual conversations that turned into stories. We also go around telling miracles from our own lives that we witnessed throughout the year.”
Community Member #3
“I have game night on one of the nights. Every year I buy a new game, based on the ages of my kids at the time. Then, we can play it throughout the year. Our first time playing the games are when the candles are burning, and then we can remember that memory all year. We also play dreidel and the winners get chocolate coins. Even my big kids want chocolate. We also try to spin the dreidel upside down, and winners get two coins!”
Community Member #4
“I like to fry fresh latkes several times during the holiday, and no matter how many I make, my family asks for more. A few years ago, I started getting together with a few of my friends to make larger batches. We hang out together while we get busy grating, mixing, and frying up the latkes to take home for our families. It’s fun when you are busy talking and maybe stealing a few to eat fresh.”
Community Member #5
“We dedicate one night to music by singing a variety of songs including traditional Hebrew songs as well as modern ones. We sit in our living room and just sing together. It may sound strange, but we laugh and make memories for years to come. Especially when the kids sing, they are so cute! This year I think I am going to create a playlist in advance so that we don’t forget all of the songs that we want to sing.”
Community Member #6
“For my family, Hanukah is the time for special cookies. My mom makes these buttery soft sugar cookies, and my whole family loves them! Sometimes she makes them during the year, but on Hanukah, it is a staple every year. I’m thinking of them right now, the warmth of them fresh out of the oven. To us, this is better than donuts even if they aren’t fried. I’m also not much of a baker, so I just buy donuts.”
Community Member #7
“I wrote a story many years ago called “The Littlest Latke,” and every year we laugh about it. It started off as a family joke, and every year we laugh harder and harder. I can’t say what it is about exactly since I never published it, but the drawings I added were even funnier than the story. Maybe one day I will actually publish it.”
Community Member #8
“We have a family picture night. We take out old pictures from both sides of our families from our grandparents to the present. There are so many special pictures from weddings, brises, bar mitzvahs, special birthdays, vacations, and more. It’s fun to see everyone grow up through the years. It is also nice to see pictures of family members that have passed away. We see that the fashions change, haircuts and colors, beards, mustaches, too many to name. Some of them are so funny, we laugh about them for days.”
Community Member #9
“Our family has a little gift night, similar to a grab bag. First, I put all of our names into a bowl, and then on the Shabbat before Hanukah, everyone chooses a name from the bowl. Then, they have a few days to think of an item that is $5 or less to buy for their chosen family member. You really have to know the person to pick out a gift that they would like, so it will show that you really know them. My kids tend to get very creative with this tradition, and we have so much fun with it!”
Community Member #10
“This year I decided that I am going to attempt to fry donuts. I went through some recipes, and I think I can do it. I am going to buy all of the ingredients and see what happens. I even bought an injector to fill them with jelly. First, I am going to do a test run a week before so that just in case it doesn’t work out, I can just buy them.”
The eight days are an opportunity for us to continue spreading our spiritual light. By focusing on the intentionality of the light – by sharing stories, singing songs, and committing to acts of goodness – the flames will not only illuminate our homes but will also strengthen our community.
We are reminded that the miracle is not just historical; it is continuous. We will endure as each generation celebrates Hanukah year after year, refusing to let our faith be extinguished. Each flicker of light is a declaration of enduring hope, resilience, and the triumph of light over darkness. May this year’s Festival of Lights be your most meaningful yet.
Michele