Hanukah Menorah at the Museum of Jewish Heritage

The Jewish holiday Hanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, begins this week at sundown on Friday, November 29, and continues for eight days, until Saturday, December 7.   Although not a major religious holiday in the Jewish calendar, Hanukah is nonetheless a very joyous celebration that is especially relished by children.

Hanukah (a Hebrew word meaning "dedication") commemorates a miraculous event that occurred more than 2100 years ago, in Hellenistic times, following a battle between the Jews and the Syrian-Greeks.   Led by the popular Judah Maccabee, the Jews emerged victorious, but the Jewish Temple was desecrated and reduced to rubble.  As the Jews set about to rebuild and rededicate the holy place, they searched for the specially prepared, pure olive oil they needed to light the flame of the menorah, or candelabrum, which is supposed to burn day and night.  Sadly, they found only enough oil for one day, but, amazingly, the oil lasted eight days, long enough for the Jews to prepare a new supply of oil--the miracle of Hanukah.

(The menorah pictured above is a gift of Edita Reich Alexander. It was one of the few things that Edita found in her family's house after she returned from a concentration camp. It is from Kosice, Czechoslovakia, and dates from before World War II.)

Today, a candle is lit each night during Hanukah on a special menorah, called a chanukkiah.  It holds nine candles, one for each day, and a shamus (servant candle) that is used to light the other candles.

At Hanukah, it is customary to eat latkes (potato pancakes), which are appropriate because they are cooked in oil.  Gift giving, not originally a part of the holiday celebration, has become a tradition for children, since Hanukah invariably occurs around Christmastime.  Children usually receive a token gift of chocolate coins, or gelt, a reminder of the coins that the Jews struck after their triumph to symbolize their independence from the Syrian-Greeks.  Children also play a popular game with a dreidl, a little top that has Hebrew letters on it.  Each letter stands for an element of the game's rules and also marks the initial of a Hebrew word; together, the words mean "A Great Miracle Happened There."

Hanukah is a joyful time, and there are several downtown celebrations that will capture the buoyant spirit of this festival:

Eldridge Street Synagogue

One-hour Hanukah programs for school children take place during the first week of December.   Children learn about Hanukah, light candles, eat latkes, sing traditional songs, and play dreidl games.

World Financial Center (Battery Park City), Winter Garden, Tuesday, December 4 , 6:30 p.m., (212) 945-0505; free

"The Hanukah Story," a performance by the music group Western Wind, features Patricia Davis (violin), Charles Giordano (accordion) and Bret Simmer (bass).   The music includes Ladino songs from Spanish Jews, Yiddish melodies from Eastern Europe, and modern Israeli and American tunes.  The program is narrated by Tovah Feldshuh.

Open house for nightly candle lighting, at 4:45 p.m.   On Wednesday evening, December 4, the open house will be extended until 7 p.m. for a party for children and adults.  Hanukah merriment will include latkes, gelt and gifts.

White Street Synagogue for the Arts, 49 White Street, (212) 966-7141, www.civiccentersynagogue.org;cost:  $7 for children; $15 for families 

A children's Hanukah party will be held on Monday, December 2, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the synagogue.   Activities will include making candles and menorahs, pressing olive oil and watching a special video made at the synagogue.  Jelly donuts and latkes will be served.

White Street Synagogue for the Arts, 49 White Street, (212) 966-7141, www.civiccentersynagogue.org; cost:  $20/person

On Tuesday, December 3, there will be a Hanukah party for adults.   The theme is  "Latin Jazz," with entertainment by the Rafi Malkiel Quartet.  Candle-lighting will take place at 7:30 p.m.  The non-traditional holiday refreshments include margaritas, sangria and a Mexican feast.

For holiday supplies, including classic, unusual and modern dreidls, menorahs, candles, and more:

Museum of Jewish Heritage (gift shop), 18 First Place (Battery Park City), (212) 968-1800, www.mjhnyc.org

Lower East Side Tenement Museum (gift shop), 90 Orchard Street, (212) 431-0233, www.tenement.org

Check out latkes at Katz's A Lotta Latkes Because they're deep fried, tasty jelly donuts (sufganiot in Hebrew) are traditional at Hanukah time, but the truly delicious latkes steal the show.  In food-crazed New York, it's not unusual to find "nouvelle" latkes, made with zucchini, spinach, turnips, or even sweet potatoes.  Whether served with applesauce or sour cream, latkes are always a highly anticipated treat.   To pick up some yourself, either to take out or eat on-premises, here are a few places where you won't go wrong.   Most of the establishments listed below are kosher, but some are not (Katz's Delicatessen, for example), so if that matters to you, it's best to call first.  Also, check hours of operation, as many places are closed on Saturdays. David's Stand, 27 William Street, (212) 248-9008; giant-sized latkes, as large as 7" in diameter, $1.75 Essex on Coney, 17 Trinity Place, (212) 809-3000; $3.25 with applesauce G & M Kosher Take Out,   (212) 254-5370, 41 Essex Street; $1.00 each; will make with spinach, broccoli, etc., if ordered ahead Shalom Chai Pizza, 357 Grand Street, (212) 598-4178; $1.25 each Gertel's Bake Shop, 53 Hester Street, (212) 982-3250, $1.25 each Katz's Delicatessen, 205 East Houston Street, (212) 254-2246; $6.25/portion for three latkes with sour cream and apple sauce