Hanukkah, also called the Feast of Lights, has been celebrated for more than 2000 years. It commemorates the heroic Maccabees when they joined forces with the Jewish people to fight against the king and his army. It took many years of death and destruction, but they won the war.

In every temple, they lit the lamp that burns all day and all night. The Jewish people were horrified when they discovered they only had enough oil for the lamp to be lit for just one day. To make new oil it would take eight days. Then an amazing thing happened. The oil that was only to have been enough to light one day lasted eight days until the new oil was ready.

That's where the Feast of Lights got its name – from the celebration of the miracle of the lit lamp. For eight days in early December – on the 25th day of the Jewish month "Kislev" – the Jewish people light a candle. The middle and biggest candle is used to light the other candles.

Hanukkah is a time to celebrate with family and friends at feasts and gatherings. Games and gift giving are part of the ritual. To commemorate the miracle of oil, many foods are fried. Below you'll find a Latkes recipe (potato pancakes) you can make with your child, and easy crafts and games for your toddler or preschooler.

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