Chanukah: A festival of light, laughter and latkes

Ahead of Chanukah beginning, Carole Spiers OBE, Chair of HGS u3a, shares what the festival and its traditions mean to her and other Jewish families around the UK.

As winter settles in and daylight becomes something of a rumour, the Jewish community brings welcome brightness to the season with Chanukah - eight days of light, warmth, family, tradition, and fried food. It’s engaging, meaningful, and unfailingly uplifting, arriving just when the world seems to need a little extra glow.

Chanukah (spelled in more ways than any other festival on earth) commemorates the ancient miracle of the oil that should’ve lasted one day but defiantly burned for eight.

To honour this, Jewish families light a nine-branched Chanukiah, adding one candle each night. 

Why is Chanukah meaningful to Jewish people?

Beneath the cheerful exterior of doughnuts, songs, and lively gatherings is a deeper message of courage and continuity. Chanukah recalls a time when Jewish faith and culture faced genuine threat. Instead of fading, they held firm. That stubborn little flask of oil became a lasting symbol of perseverance and hope.

In today’s busy world, that message lands exactly where it’s needed. Chanukah offers a moment to step back from the noise and reconnect with heritage.

And it is no coincidence that Chanukah arrives at the year’s darkest point, bringing light earlier than expected.

Chanukah family traditions

Chanukah is, in many ways, the ultimate family festival. It draws parents, children, grandparents, friends,  and neighbours together.

When my children were young, we celebrated with a beloved tradition: one small gift for each of the eight nights. Nothing extravagant - some nights a little toy, another a book, sometimes simply chocolate coins. But to the children it was pure magic.

The heart of it all was the moment we stood together before the chanukiah, watching the new flame catch. Those shared minutes became some of the most enduring memories of their childhood.

Every parent, however, knows the unique challenge of sourcing eight gifts. Nights one to three are manageable. By night six, you’re rummaging through drawers wondering, “Does this notebook count as a present? Could this keyring pass?"

And while it can become a challenge to source eight gifts, the children, remarkably, accept almost anything with delight, proving the joy comes from the ritual.

At least once during the week, the children will proudly produce the dreidel (a four-sided spinning top used in a traditional Chanukah game). It's wonderful how animated people become over a spinning piece of wood, but that’s the magic of Chanukah.

A celebration for the whole community

One of Chanukah’s loveliest features is how it spills gracefully beyond the home. In many Jewish neighbourhoods, large outdoor Chanukiot stand proudly in public squares and community spaces. Each night, another candle is lit, creating a growing symbol of unity and shared celebration.

Children adore watching these lights build up evening by evening. Even passers-by with no connection to the festival often stop to admire the glow.

These public displays remind us that although darkness settles early, community light can rise just as quickly. There is something uniquely charming about seeing a giant outdoor Chanukiah illuminated one branch at a time. It's a subtle signal that this joyful, slightly chaotic, utterly heart-warming season has arrived again.

Chanukah remains one of the most cherished festivals in the Jewish year. Whether you’re lighting candles at home, spinning the dreidel with enthusiastic children, admiring a giant public Chanukiah, or enjoying a freshly fried latke (or three!), the message shines brightly:

Light endures, hope continues, and celebrating together is the greatest miracle of all.