Over 2300 years ago in a country called Judea, now known as Israel, many Hebrew, or Jewish people lived. Antiochus, a very wicked man, ordered all the Jewish people to give up their God, religion, and customs and worship only the Greek Gods. By his orders Jewish temples were destroyed or used for his purposes and those Jews who would not worship how he commanded were severely punished.

Some of the Jewish people chose to obey Antiochus, but others refused, one of whom was Judah Maccabee. Judah had four brothers and together they formed an army with the goal of defeating the Syrians so that the Jewish people could worship as they believed. They fought for about three years until they defeated the Syrians and reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem.

Cleaning and rededicating the temple to the service of God was their first priority. So they scrubbed and washed the temple clean and removed the idols and Greek symbols from within the walls. They were then ready to rededicate it unto their God. However, there was a problem. Judah could not find any blessed oil to light the lamps. While searching they finally discovered a very small amount of oil in one of the Temple chambers. They knew it was not enough oil to burn for eight days, but they lit it anyway. Then a miracle happened when the very small flask of oil lasted eight nights! So this is why the menorah has eight candles. One for each night that that small flask of oil kept the lights of the Holy Temple lit.

The Hanukkah celebration includes lighting a Hanukkah Menorah lit during the eight nights of Hanukkah. Lighting the Hanukkah Menorah is the central observance of the festival. The first candle is lit the first night, and an additional candle is lit each subsequent night so that on the last night of Hanukkah all eight candles of the Hanukkiah are lit. The candles are lit by a window or door to fulfill the commandment to "publicize the miracle." Blessings are recited and the ancient chant Hanerot Hallalu is traditionally sung while lighting the candles.

Hanukkah is a fun festival, especially for children. After lighting the Hanukkah candles, families often send printed Hanukkah Invitations to invite friends and family to eat and play games. Traditional Hanukkah food is oil rich in commemoration of the miracle of the oil. Potato pancakes and Livivot are Hanukkah food favorites. Israelis eat Hanukkah doughnuts called soofganiot. Dreidel is a traditional Hanukkah game that the whole family can play together. The custom of giving Hanukkah gelt to children has evolved into a gift giving tradition in many Jewish families today.

Custom Hanukkah Announcements, Unique Hanukkah Invitations, Personalized Hanukkah Cards and Printed Hanukkah Thank You Cards.