Hanukkah for Beginners

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With all the Christmas tree lightings and caroling and events centered around December 25, what about Hanukkah? Menorahs are already lit, but how do you introduce the holiday to someone not familiar?

The basic story goes like this….

A classic Hanukkah book is….

Many friends suggested this book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel, Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman, when I asked for recommendations. Hershel is a weary traveler who looks forward to spending the first night of Hanukkah in a small village. But when he gets there, he learns that goblins have taken over the synagogue and not allowing anyone to light the candles. Hershel takes on the task of saving the holiday from the goblins, but will he survive it?

A great animated introduction is….

“A Rugrats Chanukah” first aired in 1996, and is still hailed as not only a favorite for kids but an engaging way to introduce them to the holiday. The little tots themselves play the characters in the story of how the holiday came to be, helping your kids relate to them much more easily. Most television shows have aired Christmas specials since television was invented, but this Nickelodeon cartoon was the first with a Hanukkah special.

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Some songs to help them understand…..

I got so many song recommendations! It’s easier just to list a few where you can start:

• “Hanukkah Songs in Hebrew for Children and Toddlers” by Matan Ariel
  
  

• “8 Days (Of Hanukkah)” by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
  
  

• “Candlelight” by The Maccabeats
  
  

More educational resources can be found on www.education.com. There are so much more, but these should be a great start to teaching your kids – and maybe yourself – about Hanukkah!

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Photos: education.com, Nickelodeon, Holiday House, pexels

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