▷ What Countries Is Hanukkah Celebrated In?

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an 8-day-long Jewish holiday celebrated annually in late November or December. This holiday commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem that occurred in 165 BCE during the Maccabean revolt, and is marked by the lighting of the menorah, the traditional 9-candle fixture. Hanukkah is celebrated in many countries, each with its own unique customs and traditions.

Hanukkah is celebrated by Jewish people in many countries and regions around the world. It is an important holiday in the Jewish diaspora and is recognized by the United Nations as an International Jewish holiday. In the United States, Hanukkah is widely celebrated in Jewish households and synagogues. In many countries around the world, Hanukkah is also a day of ritual and celebration, with special dishes, gifts, and activities common to the holiday.

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1 Where is Hanukkah Celebrated?

Where is Hanukkah Celebrated?

Hanukkah is most frequently celebrated in modern-day Israel, the United States, Canada, and other countries with a large Jewish population. Hanukkah is also celebrated by a broad selection of Jewish populations in countries such as Germany, Turkey, Mexico, Argentina, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The traditions of Hanukkah vary among communities, meaning that the way in which the holiday is celebrated can change depending on the area and its cultural customs.

In Israel

In the modern state of Israel, Hanukkah is a national holiday that is celebrated with various events and rituals. While the day starts with festive synagogue services, the holiday also includes family activities such as gift-giving, singing, decorating the house, and eating special Hanukkah foods. The pinnacle of Hanukkah celebration in Israel is the lighting of the menorah, done most commonly in one of two ways. The first is in the home, where the menorah is lit in honor of the holiday, while the second is through ceremony and public events where children light the menorahs placed in public squares.

In the US and Canada

The United States and Canada are two countries that have large Jewish populations. As such, they have their own specific customs and traditions related to celebrating the holiday. As with Israel, common celebrations in the US and Canada begin with synagogue services, followed by various family activities. Gift-giving, eating special Hanukkah foods such as potato pancakes (“latkes”) and sweet treats made with oil are popular activities in North America. Additionally, dreidel spinning is a common game played with components made of clay, chocolate, or plastic.

In Other Countries

In other countries, the customs and traditions associated with Hanukkah may vary. In Germany, for instance, the holiday is celebrated by lighting one candle on the first night of Hanukkah and adding an additional candle each night thereafter. In Turkey, Hanukkah is celebrated with traditional foods such as haymaki (stuffed pancakes cooked with oil), pastries, and cookies. In Mexico, families often exchange gifts, and in Argentina, many families use cardboard boxes to construct a model temple, simulating the rededication of the original Temple in Jerusalem.

Hanukkah is an important holiday for Jewish people around the world. Celebrated in different countries with their own unique customs and traditions, it is a day that symbolizes the freedom and spiritual independence of Jewish people. From North America to Europe, Hanukkah is a day of celebration, ritual, and gift-giving, and is a time for family and friends to come together and reaffirm their cultural beliefs and heritage.

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Last update 2023-11-21. Price and product availability may change.