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by Dorit Sasson

Chanukah’s almost here! As you get ready to celebrate the miracle of this holiday, take a short trivia quiz. How much do you know about this festival of lights?

Chanukkah Trivia Game

1. What other name is traditionally known by?

Answer: the festival of lights

2. What is the miracle of the eight nights and days of Hanukkah?

Answer: The oil in the temple burned for eight days

3. The story of Chanukah is a time for Jews to celebrate what?

Answer: Religious freedom - the story of Chanukkah tells of the Jews who were persecuted for many years by the Greco-Syrian king Antiochus Epiphanes. Antiochus forced them to worship Greek gods instead of practicing their own Judaism.

4. What was the name of the small band of Jewish patriots who victoriously won over the mighty armies of the Syrian King?

Answer: The Maccabees

5. What did the Maccabees find when they restored the Holy Temple in Jerusalem?

Answer: one jar of pure oil, enough to keep the menorah burning for just one day

6. Name at least one thing you do on each night of the holiday?

Answer: You light one more candle, exchange gifts, play dreidel, and eat fried latkes and donuts to remember the victory for religious freedom and the miracle of the oil. You also play dreidel, a spinning top with four Hebrew letters - nun, gimmel, hey, shin

7. What do the four hebrew letters on the dreidel stand for?

Answer: “Nes Gadol Hayah Sham - A Great Miracle Happened There.”

8. What is the Hebrew word for dreidel?

Answer: “sevivon.”

So now that you know a little bit more about the holiday of Chanukah, it’s time to make a few fun holiday crafts.

Craft #1: Chanukah Craft Notepad Holders

Materials – Here’s what you’ll need:

heavy cardboard
cheap notepads (this can be bought in bulk at a dollar store)
markers, scissors, paint

You can use this craft to make a fun “to do” list or homework pad.

Instructions – What You Need to Do

1. Use heavy cardboard to make the back of the notepad holder. You can either paint your decorations or cut them out.

2. Cut out driedel shapes or draw Judah the Maccabee or a picture of a menorah.

3. Paste a notepad and you’re ready to write yourhearts out!

Craft #2: Chanukah Craft Gelt Bag

Learn more about the tradition of Chanukah by making a Chanukah gelt gift bag.

Materials – What You’ll Need

plastic strawberry containers (these hold the best)
blue construction paper
stapler
glue
gold wrappers from chocolate Chanukah coins
glitter (preferably silver - optional)

Instructions – How to Make Your Chanukah Gelt Bag

1. Staple blue construction paper to the basket and glue gold coins. You can also glue glitter. Careful – this can get messy!

2. Cut strips for handles and staple to basket.

3. You can also choose to write your name in Hebrew.

Now you’re ready to collect your Chanukah gelt! You may also want to give some money to a charity or a person who may be in need.

Happy Chanukah!