HAPPY CHANUKAH!!

CHANUKAH BLESSINGS, SONGS, RECIPES, AND MORE

1

BLESSINGS

The Chanukah Menorah (or Chanukiah in Hebrew) is a candlestick that holds nine candles, specifically for . Eight of the candles each represent one of the eight days of Hanukkah. The ninth candle is raised above the others and is called the Shamash, meaning helper-candle. It is used to light all the other candles.

If possible, candles should be lit immediately after sunset and should be allowed to burn completely. One family member may light the candles on behalf of the whole family, but it is fun to have each family member light his/her own Chanukiah.

The first candle is lit (using the shamash) on the first night. On the next night, two candles are lit, and one more added each night up through the eighth night. The candles are placed in the Chanukiah from right to left (facing you); but, when lighting them, first kindle the “new” candle added that evening (using the shamash) and then proceed from left to right.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Ba-rooch a-ta A-do-nai, E-lo-hay-noo me-lech ha-o-lam, a-sher keed-sha-noo b’meetz-vo-tav v’tzee-va-noo l’had-leek nayr shel cha-noo-kah.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Who makes us holy with commandments, and commands us to light the Hanukkah candles.

Ba-rooch a-ta A-do-nai, E-lo-hay-noo me-lech ha-o-lam, she-a-saw nee-seem la-a-vo-tay-noo ba-ya-meem ha-hem baz-man ha-zeh.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Who made miracles for our ancestors in those days, at this season.

Only on the first night:

Ba-rooch a-ta A-do-nai, E-lo-hay-noo me-lech ha-o-lam, she-he-che-ya-noo v’kee-y-ma-noo v’hee-gee-a-noo, laz-man ha-zeh.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Who gives us life, sustains us, and brings us to this season.

2 SONGS

Ma-oz Tzur (Rock of Ages) I Have a Little Ma-oz Tzur y’shu-a-ti, l’cha na-eh , I made it out of clay, l’sha-be-ach. Ti-kon bet t’fi-la-ti, v’sham and when it’s dry and ready, oh dreidel I to-da n’za-be-ach. L’et ta-chin mat-be-ach, shall play. mi-tzar ha-m’na-be-ach. Az egmor b’shir Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made it out of miz-mor, chanukat ha-miz-be-ach. clay, and when it’s dry and ready, oh dreidel I Rock of ages, let our song praise thy saving shall play. power; Thou amidst the raging foe, wast our sheltering tower. Furious they assailed us, It has a lovely body, with legs so short and but thine arm availed us, and thy word broke thin, their sword when our own strength failed us. and when it gets all tired, it drops and then I win. Kindling new the holy lamps, priests Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, with legs so approved in suffering, purified the short and thin, Nation’s shrines, brought to G-d their Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, it drops and offering. And, in courts surrounding, hear, then I win. in joy abounding, happy throngs singing songs, with a mighty sounding. My dreidel’s always playful; it loves to laugh and spin; , Oh Chanukah a happy game of dreidel, come play, now Oh Chanukah, oh Chanukah, come light the let’s begin. Menorah. Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, it loves to laugh Let’s have a party, we’ll all dance the . and spin, Gather round the table, we’ll give you a Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, come play, now treat, let’s begin. Sevivon to play with, levivot to eat. And while we are playing, the candles are burning low. One for each night, they shed a sweet light to remind us of days long ago. One for each night, they shed a sweet light to remind us of days long ago.

3 Mi Yimalel/Who Can Retell () Mi yi-ma-lel g’vu-rot yis-ra-el, otan mi Light one candle for the Maccabee children yimneh? Give thanks that their light didn’t die Hen be-chol dor ya-kum ha-gi-bor go-el Light one candle for the pain they endured ha-am. When their right to exist was denied. Shma! Ba-ya-mim ha-hem, baz-man ha-zeh, Light one candle for the terrible sacrifice mac-ca-bee mo-shi-a uf-o-deh — Justice and freedom demand. Uv-ya-mei-nu kol am yis-ra-el Light one candle for the wisdom to know yit-ach-ed, ya-kum ve-yi-ga-el When the peacemaker’s time is at hand.

Who can retell the things that befell us? Chorus: Don’t let the light go out Who can count them? It’s lasted for so many years In every age a hero or sage came to our aid. Don’t let the light go out Let it shine through our love and our Hark! In days of old in ’s ancient land, tears. Brave Maccabeus led the fearless band. And now all Israel must as one arise; Light one candle for the strength that we Redeem itself through deed and sacrifice. need To never become our own foe Light one candle for those who are suffering Sevivon, Sov, Sov, Sov The pain we learned so long ago. Se-vi-von, sov, sov, sov, cha-nu-kah hu chag Light one candle for all we believe in tov. Cha-nu-kah hu chag tov, se-vi-von, sov, Let anger not tear us apart sov, sov. Light one candle to bind us together Chag sim-cha hu la-am, nes ga-dol ha-ya With the peace as the song in our heart. sham. Nes ga-dol ha-ya sham, chag sim-cha hu la-am. Chorus:

Chanukah holiday! With the we shall play. When they spin and turn some more, watch them drop to the floor!

4 RECIPES CHUNKY APPLESAUCE

INGREDIENTS 6 peeled apples (Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, or 1/4 - 1/2 cup of honey ( depends on how Jazz) sweet the apples are and how sweet you 2 peeled Granny Smith apples want the apple sauce to be) NOTE: You can 1 mashed banana add brown sugar instead of honey, if you 1 medium sized navel orange sliced very prefer thin with the peel on Cinnamon - several shakes 1 1/2 - 2 cups of apple juice Nutmeg to taste Juice of one small lemon Ginger to taste

INSTRUCTIONS 1) Peel and quarter all the apples and place in simmering apple juice. 2) Add the orange and mashed banana. 3) Cover and simmer until the apples are soft. 4) Remove from stove. 5) Mash with a potato masher. 6) Add honey and spices to taste. 7) Store in the refrigerator or freezer.

Applesauce can be served hot or cold.

5 Sufganiot Recipe

A cross between a beignet and a jelly donut, sufganiot are pillowy donuts that are eaten in Israel and around the world during Hanukkah when foods fried in oil symbolize the miracle of oil that burned for eight days instead of one in the Hanukkah story. Sufganiot are traditionally filled with jelly, jam, Nutella, or custard, but they are also delicious plain.

Servings: 24

INGREDIENTS 1 cup warm water, heated to about 110°F 1 tablespoon instant/rapid-rise or active dry yeast 3 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar, plus more for coating 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 2 large egg yolks 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus about 2 quarts more for frying 1 teaspoon vanilla extract About 1 cup jam or jelly (or custard, Nutella, etc.) optional

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Combine the water and yeast in a small bowl and let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the flour, confectioners' sugar, salt, and nutmeg. Whisk to combine and set aside. 3. Add the egg yolks, 2 tablespoons of oil, and vanilla to the water/yeast mixture and whisk with a fork until combined. 4. Add the liquid mixture to the flour mixture and stir with rubber spatula until the dough comes together. It should be a bit sticky. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap (no need to clean it first) and let the dough rise on the countertop until doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours. 5. Line a baking sheet with a few layers of paper towels. Line another baking sheet with parchment paper and dust heavily with flour. Generously dust a clean countertop and your hands with flour. Scrape the dough out of the bowl onto the counter and dust the dough with flour. Pat the dough into 1/4-in-thick rectangle (it should be about 10 x 12-inches in size), making sure the bottom doesn't stick and adding more flour to the counter and your hands as needed. Using a pizza wheel or very sharp knife, cut the dough into 24 two-inch squares and transfer to the floured baking sheet, leaving a little space between the squares. Sprinkle the squares lightly with flour. 6. Add enough of oil to a large Dutch oven or heavy pot to measure about 2 inches deep and heat over medium heat to 350°F. (If you don't have a candy/deep-fry thermometer, drop a 1-in cube of bread in the oil; if it takes about 1 minute to get golden brown, the oil is at the right temperature.) Place 6 dough pieces in the oil and fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes, flipping halfway through frying. Adjust the heat, if necessary, to maintain the oil temperature between 325°F and 350°F. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the donuts to the paper towel-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining donuts. 7. When the donuts are cool enough to handle, use a paring knife to puncture the side of each to form a pocket in the center. Place the tip of a squeeze bottle or piping bag into the pocket and squeeze 1 to 2 teaspoons of jam or jelly inside. 8. Using a fine sieve, dust the donuts generously with confectioners’ sugar. Serve warm.

6 Potato Recipe

6 small potatoes 1 large onion ¼ cup matza meal 2 eggs (beaten) 1 teaspoon salt Pepper ½ teaspoon baking powder Oil

Peel and cut potatoes into 1-inch chunks and put in a bowl of salted water. Dice the onion and set aside. In a food processor or blender, grate part onion and part potato together until all are used up. Pour grated mixture into a strainer to drain the liquid. After drained, put the potato-onion mixture into a bowl, add the rest of the ingredients, and mix well. If mixture is too loose, add more matza meal. Fry in hot oil. Enjoy with sour cream and/or applesauce!

7 CHANUKAH TRIVIA QUIZ

Ques. What was the miracle of Hanukkah? Ans. The oil lasted for eight days.

Ques. How many blessings do we say on the first night? Ans Three

Ques. What direction do we light candles on Menorah? Ans. Left To Right

Ques. What is the Hebrew name of the spinning top with which we play on Hanukkah? Ans. S’vivon

Ques. What four letters appear on Israeli Dreidel (sivivonim)? Ans. Nun, Gimel, Hay, Pay

Ques. What is the name of the candle used to light the others? Ans. Shamash

Ques. Who was the father of Judah the Maccabee? Ans.

Ques. How many days is Hanukkah celebrated? Ans. Eight

Ques. What is the meaning of the word 'Maccabee' ? Ans. Hammer

Ques. What did the fight for? Ans. For the right to practice Judaism

Ques. What is the meaning of the word ‘Hanukkah’? Ans. Re-Dedication

Ques. What is the total number of candles lit during the holiday of Hanukkah? Ans. 44

Ques. Who was the villain of Hanukkah? Ans. Atiochus

Ques. In which city did the Maccabees lived? Ans. Modi'in

8 Dreidel/ (Sih-vee-vone) Game Dreidel is the Yiddish word for the spinning top game played at Hanukkah. The Hebrew word for dreidel is (sih-vee-vone).

 Any number of people can play this Hanukkah game.  Each player begins the game with an equal number of game pieces. Game pieces can be pennies, M&Ms, raisins, gelt, etc.  At the beginning of each round, every player puts one game piece into the center “pot.” In addition, every time the pot is empty or has only one game piece left, every player should put one game piece into the pot.  Every time it is your turn, spin the dreidel once. Depending on the outcome, you give or give or get game pieces to or from the pot:

- The Hebrew letter Nun stands for the Hebrew word “nes” which means

“miracle.” - If you land on the , you do nothing.

- The Hebrew letter Gimmel stands for the Hebrew word “gadol” which

means “great or big.” - If you land on the , you get everything in the pot!

- The Hebrew letter Hey stands for the Hebrew word “hayah” which

means “occurred or happened.” - If you land on the , you get half the pot.

- The Hebrew letter Shin stands for the Hebrew word “sham” which

means “there.” - If you land on the , you need to put one game piece into the pot.

 If you find that you have no game pieces left, you are either “out” or may ask a fellow player for a “loan.”  When one person has won everything, that round of the game is over!

Interesting Facts: The Hebrew letters on the dreidel put together stand for the phrase: Nes gadol hayah sham which means: A great miracle happened there.

In Israel, instead of a , the dreidel has a on it. The Hebrew letter Peh stands for the Hebrew word “po” which means “here.” When you put the sentence together using a dreidel in Israel, it reads: Nes gadol hayah po which means: A great miracle happened here.

9 10