Jewish

Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of lights and lasts for eight days. Hanukkah commemorates the Jewish struggle for religious freedom. The history of the holiday involves a historic military victory in which a Jewish sect called the Maccabees defeated the Syrian Greeks. The celebration commemorates a miracle in which a sacred Temple flame burned for eight days on only one day’s worth of oil.

Date details: Hanukkah begins at sundown on the first day.

General practices: On each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, Jewish families light an additional candle of the menorah candelabrum until all eight candles are lit. Children receive a few coins (Hanukkah gelt).

Potential accommodations: If you would like to learn more about this religious holiday/observance or others that are recognized by members of our WSU community, we recommend you visit the full religious holidays and observances calendar on the Office of DEI’s page.