Chanukah is the Festival of Lights — an eight-day celebration marking the triumph of Jewish spirit, identity, and resilience. It commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the second century BCE and the ancient community’s struggle to reclaim the freedom to live and practise Judaism authentically. Each night, we light candles in a chanukkiyah to remember both the courage of the Maccabees and the enduring spark of hope that has carried our people through generations.
Chanukah begins each year on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, usually falling in late November or December. As we add one candle each night, we amplify light, joy, and connection — celebrating the small miracles, the hard-won freedoms, and the simple acts of goodness that brighten our world today.
At Shtiebel, Chanukah is shaped by community, creativity, and welcome. We gather for Light & Latkes, share nightly candle-lighting, sing familiar melodies with fresh warmth, and offer hands-on opportunities for families and friends to celebrate together. Whether it’s joining us in person or using our resources from home, we invite everyone to bring their own light to this season.