Hanukah

Hanukah celebrates the victory of the Jewish Maccabeans against the Greek rulers, who sought to impose Hellenistic culture and religion on the Jews.

The struggle culminated in the recapture and rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. The oil burned in the Temple had been spoiled, except for one jar. It was enough to last for one day but by a miracle lasted for eight days.

As a result, the festival lasts for eight days, and on each evening a special eight branched candelabra is lit starting with one candle on the first night and ending with eight on the last night.

It is traditional to eat fried foods, especially potato lakes and doughnuts.