Celebrate Hanukah with us!

Hanukah is one of Judaism’s most famous and best loved festivals, with eight days of celebration, gifts and food. It commemorates the ‘miracle of light’, when, following an attack on the Temple, a small amount of oil managed to keep the lights of the menorah (candelabra) alight for eight days.

As with all Jewish festivals, it is seeped with tradition. Fried foods, such as donuts and latkes (potato pancakes), are eaten as symbols of the small amount of oil that miraculously burned for eight days in the story of Hanukah. Children (and adults) play dreidl, a special spinning top game with a hint of gambling (usually using chocolate coins).

Most importantly, candles are lit every night, a reflection of the menorah lights which the Hanukah miracle kept alight for eight days.

We will be enjoying all of these traditions at the museum on Monday 22 December, at our special Hanukah event.  

There will be donuts and dreidls at 4.30pm with candle lighting at 5pm. This is a wonderful chance for us all to come together, whether it’s your first time celebrating Hanukah or the festival is an old favourite.  

We will also be lighting candles every day of Hanukah that we are open (16, 17, 18, 21 and 23 December), so please do join us then if you can’t make 22 December.

Chag Sameach! (or Happy Holiday!)