Happy Hanukkah!

Millions of Jews lit menorah candles all over the world on Wednesday, December 8, 2004, to mark the first day of Hanukkah.

Hanukkah (also commonly spelled, "Chanukah") is an annual eight-day celebration that goes back nearly 2,400 years. It commemorates one of Jewish history's greatest miracles, which allowed Judaism to survive.

Today, over 14 million people practice Judaism, including 3 million Americans.

You'll start this week's lesson by exploring the origin and meaning of Hanukkah and other holidays. You'll also find out where and how Jews have lived over the centuries, including the generations living in the United States.

Holiday Traditions

Our first stop is the Jewish Outreach Institute (JOI), where they explain How We Celebrate. Let's start with learning about the current holiday, Hanukkah.

Read the introduction, then learn more about the holiday's Blessings, Traditions, and History.

What does the word Hanukkah mean? What is the significance of oil? Who were the Maccabees?

If you have time, you can sing a few of the traditional Songs, check out the Cutouts, and Spin the Dreidel a few times!

Next, explore some of the other holidays, including Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Purim, Passover, and Shavuot.

In what ways are the origins and traditions of these holidays rooted in the religion's historical accounts? Why is it important in Jewish belief that they should offer gifts to others?

Before leaving the JOI, make sure uncover more answers on the Basics of Judaism, to questions like, What is Judaism?, What is a Rabbi, and What is a Synagogue?

Jewish Heritage

Now let's trek over to PBS to explore Heritage: Civilization and the Jews. Begin by browsing the Historical Timeline.

Who is said to have led the Exodus from Egypt, and what was that event's significance? What feats did King Solomon accomplish, and what happened when he died? About how many Jews had migrated to the United States by 1924?

Then start exploring the Episodes, beginning with A People is Born.

As you browse this and subsequent episodes, you can check out the Interactive Atlas, Historical Documents, and Video Resources related to each episode.

Explore the other episodes similarly -- The Power of the Word, The Shaping of Traditions, The Crucible of Europe, Search for Deliverance, Roads from the Ghetto, The Golden Land, Out of the Ashes, and Into the Future.

In what ways did the Roman Empire, other governments, and non-Jewish groups affect the lives of Jews? How have major historical events influenced the migrations, job opportunities, and social lives of Jewish people over the centuries?

Jewish America

As you have discovered, millions of Jews have migrated from their traditional homelands to the United States over the last couple of centuries. Like most other immigrants, many Jewish Americans have struggled to practice and hold true to their traditional beliefs and customs, while integrating into modern America.

To learn more about Creating American Jews, let's go visit the National Museum of American Jewish History.

Start by reading the Introduction, then continue through the Beginnings, and A New World. How were Jewish communities established? In what ways did American Jews interact with each other?

Next, learn about how some Jews were America's early Pioneers, how Immigrant Neighborhoods helped maintain traditional identity, how Modern Communities in post-war America flourished, and how Jews have been challenged with the shaping of New Identities.

How might American Jews live their lives differently than Jews who live in other countries, such as Israel, or those in Europe, Africa, or Asia? How many individuals or families do you know that practices Judaism? How many synagogues are active in your home town? Have you ever come across any signs of Judaism (for example, foods, symbols, publications, holiday reminders, etc.) around your neighborhood or places where you've traveled?

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Newspaper Activities

In current issues of Targetnewspaper find any news or features on Jewish beliefs or practices. Are there any Jewish wedding ceremonies or "rites of passage," like a Bar Mitzvah, being announced? If so, are any of the ceremony's traditional activities highlighted? In what ways does Judaism influence people's daily lives? Are there any conflicts or debates between Jews and people of other religious faiths? If there is news about an archeological discovery related to Jewish history, where does the discovery fit into the timeline of events?