Hanukkah 2022: Important dates, how it’s celebrated and local events to attend
Hanukkah, known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays. This year, it will overlap with the Christmas season.
“I love when Hanukkah is this late, otherwise it’s over before Christmas starts, and people still tell us ‘Happy holidays!’ when our holiday has already ended,” said Madeline Seltman, chief programs officer at local non-profit Jewish for Good. “This year, we can all tell each other ‘Happy holidays!’ through the end of December!”
Jewish for Good, which works to nourish the roots of Jewish life in the Triangle, estimates there are about 11,000 Jewish individuals (over 4,000 Jewish households) across Orange, Orange, Wake and Chatham counties.
Here’s what to know about this year’s holiday — its history, traditions and how it’s celebrated.
When is Hanukkah 2022?
Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) begins at sundown on Sunday, Dec. 18.
In Jewish tradition, the day begins at sunset, so Jewish people will begin celebrating this holiday after the sun goes down on Sunday.
The holiday lasts for eight days, so the celebration will conclude after sunset on Monday, Dec. 26.
Why does Hanukkah have different spellings?
“The word is transliterated from Hebrew, and for many words that are transliterated from any language that uses a different alphabet, you’re doing your best to English-ify it,” Seltman said.
“To be more faithful to the Hebrew, you’d do the ‘CH’ spelling. But to be more accessible, I always spell it with an ‘H’ to make sure people aren’t saying ‘Hanukkah’ with the ‘CH’ sound, like in chess.”
The good news: Don’t worry too much about misspelling the word, Seltman said. There are at least six valid spellings.
What’s the significance of Hanukkah?
Hanukkah isn’t one of Judaism’s most religious holidays, in the way Rosh Hashanah or Passover would be, but it’s become very important to American Jews because of its proximity to Christmas, Seltman said.
“The themes are accessible to all kinds of people. Light in the middle of the darkest months of the year, and getting you through that darkness. Themes of overcoming challenges, perseverance and fighting for what you believe in,” she said.
“It’s very easy to connect with Hanukkah and celebrate it to end the year.”
What is the history behind Hanukkah?
Hanukkah celebrates two stories: One is of military victory, and the other is of a miracle, per Jewish for Good.
▪ Military: The winter holiday commemorates the victory of a small group of Jewish rebels (led by Judah Maccabee and his brothers, collectively known as “the Maccabees”) over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E., and the subsequent liberation and “re-dedication” of the Temple in Jerusalem, according to ReformJudaism.org.
▪ Miracle: Only one small jar of oil was found with just enough left in it to light the lamp in the Temple for one day, according to My Jewish Learning. It burned for eight full days, which was the amount of time it took to get more oil to keep the lamp lit. In remembrance of this, Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah for eight days, and one candle is lit for each night.
How is Hanukkah celebrated?
Much of the holiday is celebrated at home.
▪ The menorah: The menorah (also called a hanukkiah) is an eight-branched candelabrum with one candle lit each evening of the holiday. By the eighth day of Hanukkah, the menorah is full with light.
Lighting the menorah is usually done individually or in a small group setting, like with a small group of friends or family. Jewish people will often gather for communal celebrations and public candle-lightings throughout the eight days of Hanukkah too.
▪ Fried foods: It’s traditional to eat foods fried in oil to signify the miracle of the lamp burning for eight days on such a small supply of it. Some well-known Hanukkah foods are potato pancakes (“latkes”) and jelly donuts (“sufganiyot”).
▪ Dreidel: Dreidel is a traditional Hanukkah game played in homes around the world. (Find a how-to guide to play dreidel at myjewishlearning.com.)
▪ Songs: Those celebrating may sing traditional holiday songs. This year, TimeOut compiled a list of 21 Hanukkah songs, featuring modern and traditional tunes. (Find the list at timeout.com.)
There are also numerous Hanukkah playlists across music streaming services.
How to wish someone a Happy Hanukkah
“Hanukkah is one of our happy holidays, so ‘Happy Hanukkah!’ is the best and easiest thing to say to wish someone well,” Seltman said.
It’s not always appropriate to put “happy” in front of the name of a significant date, especially in Judaism. For Yom Kippur, one of the most holy and solemn days of the Jewish year that takes place each fall, it’s not appropriate to say “Happy Yom Kippur.” A popular expression of well-wishes instead is “Have an easy fast.”
A good Hanukkah tradition for all? Helping neighbors
“Hanukkah is not about gifts, although it’s often associated with that based on its close proximity to Christmas,” Jill Madsen, CEO of Jewish for Good, told The N&O last year.
“For me, my tradition is finding ways to spread light, so I do something each night that does that. Volunteering for an organization that is meaningful to me. Doing something for someone in need. Making a financial contribution to a place spreading light onto the world.”
Jewish for Good has a list of local Jewish organizations — such as Carolina Jews for Justice, Moishe House and the North Carolina Museum of Art Judaic Art Gallery — that need support both financially and in the form of volunteers.
Each year, Madsen makes an $18 donation to a different local cause in her community for the eight nights of Hanukkah, and she encourages Jewish and non-Jewish North Carolinians to do the same.
Consider which local organizations are important to you, and make a donation — ideally in multiples of 18. (It’s a meaningful number in Judaism, meaning “To life!”)
Jewish for Good’s Mitzvah Day, held annually on Christmas Day, welcomes anyone who wants to join into a day of local service. Find details below or at jewishforgood.org/mitzvah-day.
Hanukkah events in Raleigh, Durham NC area
The N&O is continually updating a list of Hanukkah (and other winter holiday) events in the Triangle. For a full list of local holiday events all December long, visit newsobserver.com/entertainment.
Here are the local Hanukkah events taking place this month:
December 18
Apex Chanukah Festival: Holiday crafts and games for children of all ages, followed by a grand menorah lighting. Time: 3-5 p.m. Location: 53 Hunter St., Apex Info: chabadofcary.org
Grand Menorah Lighting: Gelt Drop with the Apex Fire Department. Fire show, doughnuts, hot drinks, Yalla Kosher Food Truck. Time: 5:15 p.m. Location: 220 Salem St., Apex Info: chabadofcary.org
Outdoor Chanukah Celebration: Presented by Chabad at Duke University & Durham Chapel Hill. Celebration at Streets at Southpoint Mall. Time: 4:30 p.m. Location: Barnes & Noble, 8030 Renaissance Parkway, Durham Info: jewishdch.com
Menorah Lighting on the Green: Join Lafayette Village and Chabad Center of Raleigh for the Grand Menorah Lighting. Time: 3:45 p.m. Location: Lafayette Village, 8450 Honeycutt Road, Raleigh Info: eventbrite.com/e/menorah-lighting-on-the-green-tickets-467566001497
DTR Menorah Lighting: Join in celebrating the festival of lights with a beautiful Menorah lighting ceremony, led by Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin and Congressman Wiley Nickel. There will be plenty of warm drinks, fresh latkes and traditional donuts to go around! Time: 5:30 p.m. Location: The Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts Info: dukeenergycenterraleigh.com/events/dtr-menorah-lighting
December 19
Menorah Lighting: The Town of Cary will unveil its new menorah on the second night of Hanukkah. The Town of Cary has partnered with Beth Shalom congregation, Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary and Chabad of Cary for a special celebration with treats, fun for kids, and holiday music for all to enjoy. Time: 5:30 p.m. Location: Cary Arts Center Info: townofcary.org
December 22
Morrisville Menorah Lighting: Rabbi Yisroel Cotlar will perform the lighting ceremony at the Indian Creek Greenway & Trailhead. Time: 5:30 p.m. Location: 101 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville Info: facebook.com/events/593865805838442
December 25
Mitzvah Day at Jewish for Good: Mitzvah is the Hebrew word for “good deed.” People of all faiths are welcome to participate and help make a difference on Christmas day. The inspiration for Mitzvah Day is to help less-fortunate individuals in our community and to provide an opportunity for volunteers to experience the joy of helping others. The volunteers will serve two dozen different organizations on Christmas Eve/Day. Times and locations vary depending on the volunteer service performed. Visit the website to sign up for a volunteer shift and learn more about the day of service in the Triangle. Info: jewishforgood.org/mitzvah-day
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