Hanukkah, or Chanukah, is an eight day Jewish festival, also known as the Festival of Lights, which occurs yearly at some point from late November to late December. Hanukkah means "dedication" or "consecration" and marks the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem.

The menorah, an eight branched candelabrum (the ninth branch holds the shamash, an extra candle which is used to light the other candles durin the eight nights of Hanukkah), symbolizes the miracle of the oil experienced during the re-dedication of the Temple. There was only enough consecrated olive oil to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day, but it miraculously burned for eight days, which was the amount of time that it took to press, prepare, and consecrate fresh olive oil.

Traditional Hanukkah fare includes many dishes fried in oil, such as doughnuts and fritters, and customs include the dreidel, a four sided spinning top, and Hanukkah gelt (small coins and sometimes chocolate covered coins).
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