HANUKKAH VOCABULARY EXERCISE (ESL)

Choose the best response to complete each sentence.

1. Hanukkah (sometimes spelled Chanukkah) is an important Jewish holiday. Many see it as a celebration of Jewish national (survive/survival) and freedom of religion.

2. The holiday commemorates the Maccabees' revolt and (win/victory) over the Greek-Syrians and rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after it had been (discouraged/desecrated) by the king of Syria.

3. Hanukkah, also known as the "Festival of Lights", begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, and (grows/lasts) for eight days.

4. The most important religious (observance/absolution) is lighting candles on a "menorah" (which holds nine candles).

5. This lighting of the candles (one per day for eight days) is done to commemorate the "eight-day miracle" - After the Temple was rededicated there was only enough oil for the candles to (burn/light) for one day, but miraculously, they (burned/lit) for eight days.

6. There are special blessings/prayers which one should (receive/recite) while lighting the candles.

7. Traditional games (like the spinning-top "dreidel") and songs (dealing with Hanukkah-related themes) are also important parts of the (celebrity/celebration).

8. (Exchanging/Changing) gifts is another popular Hanukkah tradition.

9. There are also some foods associated with Hanukkah - These (vary/diversify) according to tradition. Some well-known ones are potato pancakes ("latkes"), foods fried or baked in oil, and home-made donuts.

DID YOU KNOW?

Different countries have (slightly and sometimes more-than-slightly) different traditions for Hanukkah. Here are some of the differences from country to country:

Israel
Public menorah lightings in city squares and at the Western Wall.
Sufganiyot (jelly-filled donuts) are more popular than latkes.
Schools, TV shows, and businesses fully acknowledge Hanukkah.
Kids often receive gelt or small gifts, but it's less commercial than in the U.S.

United States
Latkes and applesauce/sour cream debates.
Gift-giving on multiple nights (influenced by Christmas season).
Hanukkah parties, ugly sweaters, and modern songs.
Dreidel games with chocolate gelt.

Canada
Similar to the U.S., but with stronger emphasis on community events.
Public menorah lightings even in very cold weather.
Strong multicultural framing of Hanukkah.

France
Focus on family meals and candle lighting at home.
Traditional foods vary by background: Ashkenazi - latkes, Sephardic - fried pastries.
Less gift-focused, more religious and family-oriented.

United Kingdom
Candle lighting and home celebrations.
Schools and synagogues host Hanukkah assemblies.
Modest gift-giving, often gelt or books.

Morocco (Sephardic tradition)
Bimuelos (fried dough soaked in honey).
Special prayers and songs.
Emphasis on hospitality and family gatherings.

TRY OUR OTHER HOLIDAY VOCABULARY EXERCISES:

Australia Day (Australia)
Hanukkah
St. Nicholas Day
Christmas 1
Christmas (Visual matching) 1
Christmas (Visual matching) 2
St. Stephen's Day
New Year's Eve/New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Day
Valentine's Day
Presidents Day
St. Patrick's Day
April Fools' Day
Anzac Day (Australia/NZ)
Easter
Cinco De Mayo
Victoria Day (Canada)
Mother's Day/ Father's Day
Memorial Day
Canada Day
Independence Day (USA)
Ramadan
Labor Day
Halloween
Thanksgiving 1
Thanksgiving 2

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