Chanukah is Rich in Traditions

Wintertime is coined the "holiday season" for a reason.

We have celebrations for nearly every religion during this time of year. is the second most important Christian holiday, the first being Easter. is also widely recognized. However, it isn't as an important of a holiday to the Jewish religion, said Chris Igo, of Warrenville, who attends services at Congregation Beth Shalom in .

"Chanukah is a Jewish word that means dedication," Igo said. "The holiday commemorates the military victory and recovery of the city of Jerusalem, which was desecrated by the Persians."

The origin of the eight days of Chanukah has several stories, she said, but the legend is that when the Jewish people went to rededicate their memorial to allow purification of the temple, they only had enough oil to light the lamps for one day.

"Miraculously (the lamps) stayed lit for eight days," Igo said.

During the eight days of Chanukah, Igo and her husband, Marc Cooperman, along with their four children, Kaleb, Lucas, Abigail and Samuel, each light their own menorah and say a prayer. The prayer is the same every night—one that thanks God for bringing the Jewish people where they are.

The nine candles represent the eight days the lamp remained lit. The tallest, the Shamash candle, is used to light one of the other candles each night.

"It's (our) family tradition that everyone has a personal menorah that he or she got to choose at the age of 7 or 8," Igo said. "We light the candles, say the blessings and then exchange gifts."

At least one night, the family chooses and purchases gifts for a charity. They also give each other gifts and coordinate a family outing. This year, they are all going to see Wicked.

"A traditional Chanukah gift is gelt or coins, sometimes chocolate coins and sometimes (specially-minted) coins," Igo said. "We also play games and make sure to have some family time."

Food also plays an important role in the holiday. Traditionally, you are supposed to eat fried foods, because of the miracle of the oil. Her family's favorite is potato latkes or pancakes, which she usually makes two or three times during the eight days.

There are activities throughout the week at the synagogue, too. On the first night of Chanukah, candles are lit during the Shabbat service. There also is a Chanukah concert today and a party the this upcoming week.

"Chanukah is not an overly serious holiday or a major holiday in the Jewish religion," Igo said. "It is a fairly light-hearted holiday. It really celebrates our religious freedom. By winning the battle (in Jerusalem) they won the right to celebrate the way they want."