Hanukkah

Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the liberation and rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt. The overall significance of this Observance lies largely in its educational aspect, as it promotes knowledge about Jewish history and customs, and strengthens the religious identity of Jewish communities. The celebration lasts eight days and ends with the Observance of Hanukkah Ends. This final day of Hanukkah is marked by lighting the full Hanukkah menorah, which is the central ritual of the Observance, signifying the complete miracle of the oil lasting eight days.

Historically, following the edict of Emperor Constantine in 313 CE which allowed freedom of religion in the Roman Empire, Jewish communities began to flourish across Europe. The Observance of Hanukkah was one of the Jewish traditions that managed to persist through times of varying degrees of acceptance and persecution. Today, the Observance of Hanukkah Ends is part of the rich cultural and religious diversity appreciated across the European Union. Amid the diverse population of the European Union, its Jewish communities keep their history and religious practices alive, including Hanukkah and its culmination, known as Hanukkah Ends.

In the European Union, Hanukkah is observed by lighting the menorah, singing songs, eating traditional foods and playing games. It is also typical to exchange gifts during this period. The Observance of Hanukkah Ends can take place in synagogues, Jewish community centres and private homes. It is significant to note that Hanukkah follows the Hebrew calendar, thus its dates vary in the Gregorian calendar. In the European Union, as in other parts of the world, the Observance of Hanukkah Ends usually takes place in late December. The date is not fixed, but rather falls on the 25th day of Kislev, and ends on the 2nd or 3rd of Tevet, depending on the length of Kislev in a particular year.