Why Celebrate Chanukah?

In the coming days, Jewish families will gather around a Chanukiah in joy, song, and sometimes prayer. The ritual is intrinsic: take the shamash (the “helper” candle) and light one more candle each night for eight nights. For many of us, we are filled with memories of menorahs, candles, and dreidels, yet we often overlook the historical background of the holiday — the brutal reign of Antiochus IV and the Maccabees’ uprising against Hellenization.

The root of the word Chanukah comes from the Hebrew verb chanakh, which means “to dedicate.” It refers to the rededication of the Beit HaMikdash after the conquest of Jerusalem, but it also reflects the unwavering commitment of the Maccabees not only to resisting forced assimilation and preserving our traditions, but to securing and dedicating ourselves to our future. The root also relates to chinukh, which means education. Thus, Chanukah reminds us of the power of education as a way to ensure our future.

To outsiders, Chanukah traditions may seem illogical. We no longer rely on candles for light, yet we honor the importance of oil and fire. We no longer have the Beit HaMikdash (Second Temple), yet we commemorate its rededication. Why celebrate what seems irrelevant not only to modern life, but to modern Judaism?

Dedication is an expression of the unbreakable connection to our culture and people. Education is deeply rooted in our essence. They are emblematic of our unspoken need to support our brothers and sisters whether they live next door or on the other side of the world. We can’t always explain it, but we feel it.

We celebrate our distant past because of our deep seated understanding that memory, ritual, tradition and education are the foundation of our hopes for the future. From an ancient uprising to the return to our homeland, every part of Jewish history is part of our ongoing story.

Even our pursuit of self-determination began with humble roots when, in 1901, a small organization by the name of Jewish National Fund began buying land and planting trees in Ottoman Palestine. Now, 125 years later, we are securing the Jewish future by defending, reviving, and growing the land and all of the people who call Israel home. From strengthening communities in the Negev and Galilee, to supporting individuals with disabilities, to driving economic and environmental innovation, and to connecting the next generation to our heritage, our impact is felt every day.

Whether your Chanukah traditions involve a treasured family recipe, competitive dreidel rivalries, debates over which direction to light the candles, or simply quiet moments of reflection, you are part of a living legacy of pride, connection, and steadfast dedication. It is not about staying in the past; it is about reminding ourselves what tomorrow can become.

Jewish National Fund-USA wishes you a joyful Chanukah and many more years of celebrating our shared past as well as our shared future.