Hanukkah

Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah and about 20 other ways...), meaning "dedication" in Hebrew, refers to the joyous eight-day celebration during which Jews commemorate the victory of the Macabees over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the subsequent liberation and "re-dedication" of the Temple in Jerusalem. The modern home celebration of Hanukkah centers around the lighting of the chanukiyah, a special menorah for Hanukkah; unique foods, latkes and jelly doughnuts; and special songs and games.    You can learn more about Hanukkah at ReformJudaism.org

At Temple Or Rishon, we celebrate "Hanukkah Shabbat" together. Families bring their hanukkiah to the temple and we light them together on the bima before the service starts. It creates a beautiful atmosphere light by which to pray and worship together. 

This year, Hanukkah Shabbat falls on December 27, 2024.