We don't celebrate the full Hanukkah tradition, only because I don't know everything about it and don't want to do something wrong. We did participate in the Jewish Passover recently. I know that the word Hanukkah means dedication and that it was for a re-dedication of the Holy Temple as a victory over the syrians (sp) ((I rely on the spellcheck too )) The syrians basically stole or took over the Holy Temple to worship Zues(sp?) tried to get the people to worship idols and eat pig, which was a no no for Jews, I don't remember the year or whatever but I know it all started way back in the B.C. The most important part of Hanukkah is the lighting of the Menora (which the golden Menora was stolen from the Temple as y'all probably know..). The people wanted to light the Menora and only had enough oil for one day but it ended up lasting for 8 days, hence the eight days of lighting the Menora candle in memory of what people thought to be a miracle since in reality you wouldn't think a 1 day worth of oil would last for 8 unless God had something to do with it!
Here is a site for you on the different foods:
http://judaism.about.com/od/chanukah/a/hanukafood.htm The donuts are and my mom use to make us potatoe pancakes and they are sooooooooooooooooooo yummy!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you so mcuh for that Jamie
My father has made several Menorah's and I have one. I found a great site with information on lighting the candles (how to and such) and the english translation said the first night and thereafter. I, of course, am not carrying on the full on Hanukkah traditions, being Christian, but I am lighting the Hanukkah candles, and to tell you the truth, I feel it is opening up a whole new deeper meaning for my faith. I really feel a sense of awe, and wonder. God is a God of miracles and Christmas and Hanukkah really bring that to light.
Thank you for the recipe site. I need to try some of them. My youngest has been asking for challah bread I made it once, a couple of years ago, but last year in School they had an author come to visit who wrote a book about Hanukkah, and they ate Challah bread, played with the dreidel (sp?) and learned soem things about Hannukah, so he has been asking me for it now. IT is wonderful to see the children embrace and want to learn about it as much as I do. We can learn together.

I think it's good to know and learn about the traditions. Teaching our children them will only benefit them! I personally don't know much about it. Maybe, after this post, the library may be a good place for me to start learning! Thanks Sue!

Your welcome lil l. I went on to the internet this morning and found out a lot about it. I keep a Shalom sign out side my front door and my neighbor asked me if I was Jewish, now I kind of didn't know what to say. I told her no because I am Christian, but I know I have uncles who are practicing Jews nad I now know that my Grandmother's family were Sephardic Jews so I think I should learn a little more about my family history and culture so that Shalom sing means a little more to me than just Peace. I don't know what that makes me though. I consider myself, then, a Messianic Jew. Is that right?
Jamie, can you help me with that? Please

I agree with you Sue. I'm not full Jewish, only half and I don't really know what 'religion' to call myself so I consider myself Christian since my beliefs are based on Christianity but I respect the Jewish tradition and also partake in the lighting of the Menorah and most of the food. What is the website you are talking about Sue?

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/hanukkah.html
Here is one of the festival of lights.

I posted a link on the Festival of lights but it was flagged but I suppose it'll be up shortly.

http://www.chanuka.com/history.shtml

This is the website I started with. I also checked Beliefnet.

Man I was just got flagged too. I sent the website link. Like you said it will be up shortly.

My hubby is a non practicing Jew, which kills me because I'd love to learn more about his religion. I guess we will when we visit Israel within the next cpl of years
I will scan some info that I found very interesting and send it to you. And I wholeheartedly congratulate you on wanting to learn more and teach your children about other Faiths.

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'tis the season to be kinky falalalalah

Thank Shi, I would greatly appreciate it. Wow, you are going to visit Israel? That would be a dream for me. It's something I have wanted to do since I was a little girl. You have to let me know how it is. All the sights, sounds and smells.

I remember in elementary school, every year around this time, they taught us about the Jewish traditions along with the Christian traditions. Now, that I'm waaaay older ..I have unfortunately & slowly forgotten almost everything about the Jewish traditions..so this blog and thread are really interesting to me. Thanks for sharing you all. (My memory is slowly coming back. lol) Btw., isn't a dradle a game?

Yes, dreidel is the toy used to play a game. It is kind of like a spinning top. I never played myself, but growing up in New York, I've seen it a lot.

I really want to teach my kids the real meanings of christmas esp this year since its not going to be a very non comercialized gift giving christmas here. But I fear my kids wont listen (3 and 10 months) and no one else is really supporting me with my religion teaching things so if anyone has any tips or ideas how to get the real meaning incorporated here with such young kids PLEASE help!
I think the learning the orginal christians (jewish) is a great things to incorporate into the holidays
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Its TEAMSUGAR Secret Santa Time Join In The Fun!

toxic, I did find a cool site on how to explain it to kids, I will find it and send it to you. I remember starting with the Nativity under the tree and explaining why it's there. As soon as I find the site I will post it for you.

Aww thats so much sue!! I have tried to explain it to him myself but he gets bored and any books i have been seeing just dont see to be something that will keep his attention either.
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Its TEAMSUGAR Secret Santa Time Join In The Fun!

thanks so much I mean lol