Hanukkah

Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is an eight-day Jewish festival that commemorates the miracle of the menorah and the victory of the Maccabees over the Hellenistic forces of the Seleucid Empire. The observance is characterized by lighting a menorah, reciting blessings and prayers, singing songs, playing the traditional game of dreidel, and enjoying fried foods like latkes and sufganiyot. The focus of the celebration is on the spiritual aspects of the miracle and the restoration of the Jewish faith and national identity.

The origins of Hanukkah date back to the second century BCE, when the Second Temple of Jerusalem was looted and defiled by the Seleucid king, Antiochus IV, who outlawed Judaism and sought to impose Greek culture on the Jews. The Jewish Maccabees led a revolt against the oppressors and eventually regained the temple. When attempting to rededicate it, they found only enough oil to light the menorah for one day, but miraculously, it lasted for eight days. In Germany, Hanukkah gained more importance after the Holocaust, as a symbol of the Jewish people's survival, resilience, and spiritual strength. Moreover, the emphasis on sharing light and hope resonates with German society's commitment to remembrance, reconciliation, and tolerance.

In today's Germany, Hanukkah is celebrated by Jewish communities and families across the country. In public spaces, menorah-lighting ceremonies often take place, such as the annual lighting of a large menorah at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. These ceremonies often involve prominent figures, including rabbis, politicians, and representatives of different faiths, emphasizing the shared values of peace, freedom, and understanding. Hanukkah usually occurs in December, with the exact dates determined by the Hebrew calendar. In 2021, Hanukkah will be observed from the evening of November 28th to December 6th.