Hanukkah in the Classroom: Activities, Tips, and Resources for Teachers

01 Dec, 2024

December is a month of light, wonder, and celebration in classrooms around the world. One tradition that beautifully embodies these values is Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. Whether you’re looking to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for your students or introduce them to a new cultural celebration, this guide has you covered.

What is Hanukkah? A Quick Teacher Overview

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish celebration that honours the miracle of light and the resilience of the Jewish people. While it’s not one of the most religiously significant Jewish holidays, it holds a special place in Jewish culture and is widely celebrated around the world.

The Story Behind Hanukkah Hanukkah commemorates events that took place over 2,000 years ago. In 165 BCE, the Maccabees, a small group of Jewish warriors, rose up against the oppressive Seleucid Empire to reclaim their Holy Temple in Jerusalem. When they regained control of the temple, they found only a small amount of sacred oil—enough to light the temple’s menorah (a candelabra) for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days, which allowed time for more oil to be prepared. This incredible event is the foundation of Hanukkah and is seen as a symbol of hope, perseverance, and faith.

Key Hanukkah Traditions

Lighting the Menorah: Each night of Hanukkah, families light one additional candle on a nine-branched menorah (also called a hanukkiah). The ninth candle, known as the shamash (helper candle), is used to light the others. By the eighth night, all the candles are glowing, representing growing light and hope.
Playing Dreidel: A dreidel is a four-sided spinning top with Hebrew letters representing the phrase “A great miracle happened there.” Children play a game with the dreidel using chocolate coins (gelt) or small treats.
Food Traditions: Foods fried in oil, such as potato pancakes (latkes) and jelly-filled doughnuts (sufganiyot), are enjoyed to honour the miracle of the oil.
Gifts and Community: While not traditionally a gift-giving holiday, many Jewish families exchange small presents, particularly in regions where Christmas gift-giving is prominent. Hanukkah is also a time for coming together to celebrate with family, friends, and community.

Why Teach Hanukkah in Your Classroom?

Teaching about Hanukkah provides an opportunity to foster inclusivity and respect for diverse cultural traditions. It helps students learn about Jewish heritage while promoting values like resilience, hope, and the importance of light in times of darkness. Incorporating lessons about Hanukkah can also create a welcoming environment for Jewish students who celebrate this holiday.

By exploring the history and traditions of Hanukkah with your students, you’re not only sharing a cultural celebration but also teaching universal themes of courage, community, and faith that resonate with everyone.

10 Engaging Hanukkah Activities for Your Classroom

Here are some creative and meaningful ways to bring Hanukkah into your classroom:

1. Storytelling and Creative Expression

Introduce the story of Hanukkah to your students by sharing the tale of the Maccabees and the miracle of the oil. Then, invite students to retell the story through drawing, writing, or acting. This activity encourages creativity and helps reinforce their understanding of the holiday’s meaning.

2. Music with a Fun Twist

Play the song Candlelight by the Maccabeats, a catchy Hanukkah parody of Taio Cruz’s Dynamite. This song blends tradition with modern music, making it relatable and engaging for students. After listening, discuss the lyrics and their connection to Hanukkah traditions. You could even encourage students to write their own Hanukkah-inspired song verses!

3. Personalised Greeting Cards

Combine creativity with cultural learning by having students create Hanukkah greeting cards. Use my Hanukkah Card Templates to simplify the process while giving students space to design and personalise their cards. This activity helps students express themselves while learning about the holiday’s customs.

4. Dreidel Math Adventures

Introduce a fun maths lesson by teaching your students how to play the traditional dreidel game. Use chocolate gelt or counters to make it exciting, and explore concepts like probability, counting, or addition based on the game’s outcomes. If you don’t have actual dreidels available, here is a simple digital one you can use!

5. Collaborative Classroom Art

Celebrate Hanukkah with a large-scale collaborative art project. My Hanukkah Collaborative Art Poster features a “Happy Hanukkah” design where each student contributes by colouring a section. Once assembled, the poster creates a stunning classroom display, promoting teamwork and creativity.

6. Cultural Awareness Discussions

Facilitate meaningful conversations about holiday traditions, focusing on how Hanukkah compares to and contrasts with other celebrations. Guide students to explore themes like light, hope, and resilience while fostering respect and curiosity about Jewish culture.

7. Fine Motor Skills Craft

Engage your students’ fine motor skills with a hands-on craft. My Menorah Cut and Paste Activity is perfect for younger students, combining cultural learning with skill-building in a fun and interactive way.

8. Scientific Connections with Light

Incorporate STEM by exploring the science of light and candles. Discuss how oil lamps work, experiment with reflections and shadows, or even create a simple science experiment with oil and water. Connect these lessons to the Hanukkah story to deepen their learning.

9. Hanukkah Word Puzzle Challenge

Make vocabulary fun with my Hanukkah Word Scramble Activity. It’s an engaging way to introduce students to key terms like “dreidel,” “latkes,” and “menorah” while building problem-solving skills.

10. Hanukkah Scavenger Hunt

Create a scavenger hunt in your classroom where students find items or images related to Hanukkah, such as dreidels, menorahs, candles, or symbols of light. Alongside each item, include a brief description or fun fact to educate students about its significance.

Tips for Teaching About Hanukkah

Focus on Understanding and Appreciation

Present Hanukkah as one of many cultural celebrations. Avoid generalisations and highlight the diversity of Jewish traditions.

Create a Safe Space

Foster respectful, open discussions that celebrate cultural diversity and encourage curiosity.

Incorporate Themes of Hope and Resilience

Use the story of Hanukkah to inspire students with messages of perseverance and unity.

Your One-Stop Resource Bundle

Looking to save time and deliver engaging lessons? Check out my Hanukkah Resources Bundle. It includes everything you need: vocabulary posters, greeting card templates, collaborative art projects, and more!

Lighting the Way to Inclusion

Teaching about Hanukkah is more than just exploring a cultural tradition—it’s an opportunity to promote respect, understanding, and joy in your classroom. By sharing the light and lessons of Hanukkah, you inspire students to embrace diversity and celebrate the unique stories that make our world so vibrant.

Wishing you a classroom filled with light, learning, and laughter this December!