COLUMBUS, Ohio — Christmas may be the holiday you hear about most this time of year, but it coincides with another major holiday: Hanukkah.
The Jewish holiday spans eight nights and involves menorahs, dreidels, gift exchanges and more.
What You Need To Know
- Hanukkah runs from Dec. 18-26 this year
- Rabbi Areyah Kaltmann explains Jewish customs and the historical significance of the holiday
- To commemorate the special holiday, Columbus is hosting ‘Eight Nights of Fun’
But what is the historical meaning behind the holiday and when is it celebrated this year?
Hanukkah begins on Dec. 18 and continues through Dec. 26 this year. Its origins date back to the 2nd century BCE, when the Maccabees, a Jewish group, led a rebellion. Today it celebrates the rededication of the holy temple in Jerusalem.
“Freedom prevailed, and ever since the Jews celebrate with joy and excitement,” Rabbi Areyah Kaltmann said.
Celebrations usually involve family gatherings and gift exchanges, but Rabbi Kaltmann said that’s just part of it.
“People think Hanukkah is an exchange festival of presents, it’s much more than that.”
A key piece of Hanukkah is the lighting of the menorah, where not one, but eight candles are lit.
“On Sunday night, we light one candle. We’re not satisfied with one candle. Monday night, we light two,” Rabbi Kaltmann said.
But why?
“It’s about pushing away the darkness,” Rabbi Kaltmann said. “Each and every one of us can light up the darkness through acts of goodness and kindness.”
As Jewish people commemorate the true meaning of Hanukkah around the world, they do so in Columbus as well.
To mark the first day of Hanukkah on Sunday, Judah the Maccabee will skydive into Bevelhymer Park to light the menorah, followed by a helicopter dreidel drop and a candy cannon shooting out thousands of treats.
Until then, Rabbi Kaltmann wishes everyone experiences the true meaning of Hanukkah.
“We can make a difference. We can dissolve darkness through acts of goodness and kindness. Happy Hanukkah.”
To learn more about Hanukkah celebrations in Columbus, go to https://eightnightsoffun.com/.
