Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday known as the “Festival of Lights.” It lasts eight nights, and celebrates a victory of Jews over foreign rulers over 2,300 years ago. Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, which occurs anytime from late November to late December on the western calendar. 

The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum (commonly known as a menorah) with nine branches. One branch is typically offset either above or below the others and its candle is used to light the other eight candles. This unique candle is called the shammash. Each night, one additional candle is lit by the shammash until all candles are lit together on the final night of Hanukkah. These nightly candle-lighting celebrations often include traditional foods, games, gifts, and Jewish prayers.