How Jewish communities will start celebrating Hanukkah tonight during a pandemic

Jewish communities in Greater Manchester will start celebrating Hanukkah tonight – but due to continued Covid restrictions, this year will be different.

The Jewish festival of light, which lasts eight nights, involves lighting candles on a menorah, eating fried foods and playing with spinning tops called dreidels.

But communities across the region will not be allowed to celebrate Hanukkah with other households this year as Tier 3 rules ban meeting in most places.

Covid-safe Hanukkah celeberations, such as drive-in candle lighting events with limited spaces which must be booked in advance, have been organised as a substitute for the usual mass gatherings in civic squares and public parks.

It comes as the coronavirus infection rate in neighbourhoods such as Sedgley Park and Broughton Park remain relatively high, despite a recent reduction.

Russell Conn, President of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region has urged the community to stay safe this year.

He said: “Just as the menorah lights up the dark winter nights, so we hope and pray that the lights of the Hanukkah candles will usher in a new year of good health, happiness and success.

“It is imperative that we follow the government guidelines. Social distance. Don’t mix households.

“Stay safe and all being well, next Hanukkah we will be able to celebrate as normal.”

Salford mayor Paul Dennett also wished Jewish residents, and all those celebrating Hanukkah this year, a ‘Chag Sameach’ – happy festival.

He said: “This time should be a celebration with family and food – and though I know that this year will be different, as we cannot gather together due to the coronavirus pandemic, I hope and am sure that that the eight candles lit for the days of Hanukkah shine brightly in the darkness bringing comfort and joy to all who see them.”

What is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah is a holiday that celebrates the story of the Maccabees – Jews who rebelled against King Antiochus, the Seleucid ruler of Judea and Samaria.

In the second century B.C. modern-day Israel was ruled by the Seleucids who were Greek-Syrian. They tried to force the Jews not to follow their religion.

A small band of Jews, led by Judah the Maccabee, rose up and defeated them.

After they liberated the second temple, a miracle was said to have happened.

A multi-branched candelabra known as a menorah was lit and despite the Maccabees only finding a small drop of oil, enough to burn for one day, the oil ended up lasting for eight nights – enough time for more oil to be resupplied.

When is Hanukkah?

The ‘festival of light’ usually falls in December, but as it follows the Jewish lunisolar calendar, it can fall in late November or coincide with Christmas.

To mark the miracle, Hanukkah lasts for eight days, starting on the 25th of Kislev, four days before the new moon – is the darkest night of the month.

This year, the evening of Sunday, December 10 marks the start of Hanukkah and the celebration will end on the evening of Friday, 18 December.

How is Hanukkah celebrated?

The traditional celebrations of the Jewish wintertime ‘festival of lights’ involves a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and foods fried in oil.

One extra candle is lit each night until all eight are lit on the final night.

Children play with dreidels – square spinning tops – marked with one of four Hebrew letters on each side which stand for “a great miracle happened there”.

The dreidel gambling game stems from the Greek-Syrian rule when Jews were prevented from studying the Torah, the Hebrew bible, and so whenever a soldier walked by, they would play with dreidels to hide their learning.

As the Hanukkah miracle involved oil, it is customary to eat foods fried in oil – traditionally in Europe, potato latkes, or pancakes, and jam-filled doughnuts.

Staying safe at Hanukkah

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging members of the Jewish community across Greater Manchester to celebrate safely this year.

This comes after a number of house fires over recent years involving candles used during Hanukkah celebrations, including two serious incidents in 2017 in which no one was harmed, but substantial damage was caused to properties.

Area Manager Ben Levy said: “Hanukkah is a very special occasion for the Jewish community, and everyone at the fire service wants to help families celebrate safely.

“Unfortunately, our firefighters attend a number of house fires started by unattended candles each year and I would urge everyone to take the time to familiarise themselves with our simple fire safety advice before getting the celebrations underway.

“If you do come across a fire then don’t panic, take risks or try to tackle the fire yourself. Remember ‘pikuach nefesh’ – get out, stay out and call 999.”

If you are celebrating Hanukkah this year, there are a few simple steps that you can take to keep you and your family safe:

Ensure candles and oils are placed firmly in the menorah on a flat, heat resistant surface

Keep the menorah away from flammable material including curtains and furniture

Ensure there is at least three feet between the menorah and any surface above it

Never move the menorah when lit and don’t leave it unattended

Keep the menorah out of reach of children

Ensure you have a working smoke alarm on each level of your home

Only use suitable glass or metal containers to burn candles or oil in

To help stop the spread of coronavirus, only celebrate with your household or bubble

 

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