In America, Hanukkah is one of the better-known and commonly celebrated Jewish holidays, with menorahs popping up this time of year in Boston and cities all over the nation. As children, Jews learn the miraculous story of Hanukkah and of those who fought oppressors in the Holy Land thousands of years ago.
But the story isn't found in Hebrew scriptures. In fact, they don't mention Hanukkah at all.
(RNS) — From an ice-skating soiree in New York to a comedy night in Los Angeles, here are eight of our favorite fetes to celebrate Hanukkah, which began at sundown Sunday.
The holiday commemorates the rededication of the Jerusalem temple in 167 B.C.E. and the miracle of the tiny vial of oil that burned for eight nights.
