Hanukkah

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, begins December 2, 2018 at sundown and lasts for eight days. While parents often give children presents, one on each night, this Jewish holiday is about more than gift exchange. It's a celebration of religious freedom and commemoration of the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days. According to the traditional accounts, when the Jews returned from a long exile to cleanse their temple, they only had enough oil to burn for one day. Miraculously, the oil supply lasted eight full days.

At home, Hanukkah is celebrated by the lighting of candles on the menorah every evening and the preparation of symbolic festive foods. Because of the role oil played in the history of Hanukkah, it's customary to eat fried foods, particularly latkes, or potato pancakes. Other Jewish specialties such as gefilte fish are commonly served and either roasted turkey or chicken is always a popular entrée.

Other festive events include giving small gifts, such as real coins or chocolate-wrapped coins, and playing with the dreidel, a four-sided top.

Come to H-E-B to find traditional Hanukkah foods and other items that are part of your holiday celebration.