Happy Hanukkah - Light menorahs with local residents

“Oh Hanukkah, oh Hanukkah, come light the menorah…” These words, from a children’s version of this traditional Hanukkah song, remind everyone of this joyous holiday celebration.

Hanukkah begins at sundown tonight (Sunday) and continues for eight days, until Dec. 29, according to the Jewish calendar. So, local Jewish families are preparing their menorahs and their family traditions to gather for a celebration dating back centuries.

Yet, it’s those personal traditions each family has today which complete the Hanukkah celebration, from menorahs with special meanings to sharing traditional dreidel games with grandchildren. Hanukkah is a holiday centered on family and traditions of Judaism, drawing together even the youngest generations to better understand their faith from ancient times.

Hanukkah with menorahs

“It’s a family celebration. There’s lots of cooking. We’re cooking matzo balls, latkes and turkey this year. There’s potato latkes, with applesauce or sour cream, followed by brisket and jelly doughnuts, which is a recipe from the grandkid’s school,” says Hanalie Trieber, an active member of the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island. She will be cooking up a delicious Hanukkah dinner with her husband, Elliott, for her family and grandchildren, who are flying in to celebrate.

“We all take turns lighting the candles,” adds Trieber, about how her family lights their menorah on each of the eight nights.

But, she has four menorahs to choose from. So deciding which menorah to light may not be easy. There’s the Trieber’s Western Wall menorah, depicting religious men praying at the miniaturized version of the actual Wailing Wall, one of the most sacred spots in Jerusalem for devotional prayer.

Or, there’s Trieber’s whimsical children’s menorah, with children and a dreidel in the center that holds the shamus candle, the candle that lights the others.

There’s the family’s silver menorah, which is intricate and more traditional, and another menorah that is reminiscent of the New England seashore. Each menorah holds the candles in a unique way, so a different one is selected each year as they begin their family traditions.

Hebrew

blessings over Hanukkah

candles

On the first night of Hanukkah, there will only be two candles lit in the Trieber’s menorah, lit from right to left, with the shamus candle placed in the center. Prayers are said in Hebrew to celebrate each night of Hanukkah.

The Trieber’s family service will begin with three blessings over the candle before lighting their menorah on the first night. Then, on the following nights, two blessings are said over the candles.

Jewish families light the Hanukkah candles to recall the miracle of the Maccabees’ victory over the Greek-Syrians. The miracle occurred when the ancient temple endured the fighting and their oil, which should have lasted only one night, lasted instead for a miracle of eight nights.

The dreidel at

Hanukkah

“At Hanukkah, we make a big deal out of the presents for our grandchildren,” says Trieber, of how she will be sharing eight gifts, one on each night of this holiday, with her grandchildren, 6-year-old Cydney and 8-year-old Joey.

“What they want this year is a little more expensive, so the number of presents this year is also limited by the economy,” she adds with a smile.

“They play dreidel, and we used to get away with M&M’s as the winning ‘gold,’ but now we’re playing with nickels and quarters,” explains Trieber. Her grandchildren have inflated the prize winnings since they’ve grown older.

The traditional game of dreidel consists of spinning a top with four sides, betting chocolate gelt, or coins, or even actual money on the outcome. What the winnings will be is up to the players. Whichever letter the top lands on determines who will win. The one with the most coins or M&M’s at the end ultimately wins the game.

The translation of all four Hebrew letters, which is, “A great miracle happened here,” also gives this game a deeper spiritual meaning for children who play it.

Traditions displayed

For Honey and Herb Solloway, Hanukkah is a celebration meant to be shared with family and neighbors. So, each year, they set up an electric menorah, complete with a selection of dreidels, offering a historical perspective of the holiday for neighbors and visitors in their condo lobby.

Married 60 years, the Solloways are winter residents on Marco, and they provide an educational display, complete with a menorah, Hanukkah cards and dreidels, with “The Miracle of Hanukkah” description for those curious about this holiday.

“For us, it’s the meaning of Hanukkah and the traditions that have been carried through the centuries,” says Honey.

“We’re from New York, and the nicest part is when we’re lighting our candles, we know our children and grandchildren are lighting theirs back home. My favorite part for me, is saying the blessings over the candles, and the potato latkes eaten with applesauce or sour cream,” adds Honey, with a laugh, about the customary foods of the holiday celebration.

Gifts at

Hanukkah

The Solloways are proud to serve as volunteer managers of the Brownstein Judaica Gift Shop at the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island. This Judaica store has gifts for those looking for special Hanukkah selections.

“Our hottest sellers for Hanukkah are the menorahs and the candles,” said Herb, of popular items for those who are looking for Hanukkah items for both friends and family. “We also have smaller things for children, but there are more elaborate options, such as paper-cut dreidels in a glass dome.”

Browsers can come in to view books on Hanukkah, see the Israeli bronze statuettes, paintings and wall hangings. Other popular items are coloring books for kids.

Celebrate

Hanukkah

with J.C.M.I.

“We welcome everyone,” to our services, says Anne Marie Rich, office manager of the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island. “Services are led by Rabbi Meline and the title of his service this year is New Light on the Festival of Hanukkah.”

Now more than ever, families are coming together to celebrate this joyful season of lights. The holiday will have a happy ending when the congregation sings “Rock of Ages,” after lighting the menorah. Each stanza in the song has a meaning, and keeping this meaning strong throughout many generations of families is what brings true light to each night of Hanukkah.