Hanukkah 2023: The Festival of Lights Begins Dec. 7

The eight-day Jewish holiday, commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, is celebrated worldwide with the lighting of the menorah and acts of charity.

• Hanukkah, also known as the 'festival of lights', is celebrated by Jews around the world by lighting one additional candle on the menorah for eight consecutive nights.
• The holiday commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC, after its liberation from foreign forces by a small group of Jewish fighters.
• The dates of Hanukkah are based on the Hebrew month of Kislev, usually coinciding with November-December in the Gregorian calendar. This year, it will be celebrated from Dec. 7 through Dec. 15.
• Jews across the religious observance spectrum focus on the theme of bringing light into the darkness, emphasizing that even a small, against-the-odds effort can have a transforming effect.
• In addition to lighting the menorah, giving to charity and social works are also part of the celebration, reflecting the belief that the Jewish people are called by God to help make the world better for all.

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