| Hannukah is a Jewish holiday celebrated in December | | | | for gathering and celebrating with friends and family. |
| normally a week or so before the Christian holiday of | | | | The menorah is a candlelabra which is used for |
| Christmas. It is not one of the important religious | | | | Hannukah celebrations. It has nine candles - one for |
| holidays in the Jewish faith but it is a joyous holiday. It is | | | | each of the eight nights and the ninth is called the |
| often referred to as the "Festival of Lights". It | | | | shamash which means servant and it is the candle |
| commemorates the physical and spiritual victory of the | | | | used to light the others. The shamash is placed in the |
| Jews over the Greeks more than 2150 years ago. | | | | middle and at a different height from the others. |
| Jerusalem was conquered by Alexander the Great. | | | | Candles are lit from left to right. Families and friends |
| When he died his empire was divided among the | | | | gather at dusk to light the menorah every night during |
| Greek rulers who then gained control of the Jewish | | | | Hannukah and sing blessings as the candles are lit. |
| land. They forced the Jews to adopt Greek dress and | | | | Small gifts are exchanged each night and games are |
| customs to establish conformity in religious and political | | | | played. The most popular game is played using the |
| practices. They even changed the Temple in | | | | dreidel which is a spinning top with four sides. Favorite |
| Jerusalem which was the national house of worship to | | | | foods are fried because of the meaning of oil to the |
| a temple to the Greek god, Zeus. | | | | holiday. Potato pancakes fried in oil called latkes are |
| Mattathias was a Jewish priest who began a | | | | typically served. |
| revolution when he refused to worship the Greek | | | | Some people think the Hannukah celebration is |
| gods. His sons joined him and later his son Judah | | | | something like the Jewish Christmas.The blue and |
| Macabee led a small group of soldiers and conquered | | | | white colors of Hanukah are marketed more heavily |
| the temple. They were able to eventually drive the | | | | each year. Many Christmas wreath companies offer |
| Greeks right out of Jerusalem. | | | | Christmas wreaths and Christmas centerpieces with |
| After the temple was conquered it was rededicated | | | | the blue, white and silver colors of Hannukah. Both |
| and it is said that a miracle occurred at this ceremony. | | | | Hannukah and Christmas are joyous celebrations for |
| Hannukah means rededication in Hebrew. They had to | | | | Christians and Jews and even though they have |
| reconsecrate the temple because of the offensive | | | | separate religious meanings it's nice that mixed families |
| practices that the Greeks had performed there. They | | | | can celebrate their holidays in the same joyous |
| had to relight the eternal flame on the Menorah. The | | | | manner. |
| Jews only used sacred olive oil for the eternal flame | | | | Lynn Jebbia is the owner of Acadia Wreath Company. |
| and were only able to find enough for one day. It took | | | | Acadia Wreath Company, based in Bar Harbor, Maine, |
| eight days to make more sacred oil. The miracle | | | | handcrafts fresh Maine balsam fir wreaths, Christmas |
| occurred when the one day supply of oil lasted the | | | | Centerpieces and Kissing Balls which are shipped |
| entire eight days. This is why Hannukah or "Festival of | | | | directly to customers and corporate clients throughout |
| Lights" is a Jewish holiday that lasts eight nights and | | | | the United States. |
| candles are lit every night. Hanukkah is a festive time | | | | |