Throughout the holiday season there are many other celebrations that we can easily forget about, especially living in the Joliet area where we mostly celebrate Christmas in the month of December. What some people forget is that there is another celebration that happens as well. Hanukah is not celebrated as much as Christmas, but still have their celebrators and customs.

Hanukah is celebrated for the Jewish religion. It celebrates the time when the Jewish people took back Jerusalem. The Holy Land was taken over by Syrian-Greeks. The small Jewish army  defeated many odds and won the temple backed and called it for God. This victory created Hanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights. Hanukah represents the triumph of light over darkness, and spirit over materials.

Today, Hanukah is a holiday for being with family and of course, food. Some of the traditional foods eaten during Hanukah are Latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiot (doughnuts). While children receive money and presents, just like Christmas and they play with dreidel which is inscribed with Hebrew letters.

One of the most traditional ways that Hanukah is represented is through the Menorah. The Menorah represents the eight days of Hanukah. It represents that God exists to make miracles for all those around us. It usually is placed by the doorway of a home, and only burned a half hour after the night falls.

Hanukah and Christmas actually have much in common. They are both religious celebrations where we know we will receive presents and celebrate with our families. No matter what we celebrate we all come together to show our love for one another in December.