What is a Chanukah Menorah?

It is a nine-branched candle-holder lit during the eight-day holiday of Chanukah.

On each night of Chanukah another candle is lit. The ninth candle, called the shamash (“helper” or “servant”), is for a candle used to light all other candles. The shamash is usually taller than the main eight candles.

The Chanukah menorah is also known as chanukiah or hanukkiah.

Chanukah is the Festival of Lights

The celebration reminds us of the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem in 167 BC.  Though there was only a small amount of oil to burn for light, it lasted for eight whole days. That is why the Chanukah menorah holds eight candles.

 At Temple Emanuel ECDC we made Chanukah Menorahs with a wide variety of materials…

Twigs              Play dough            Egg cartons            Beads           Legos            and more….

As you can see, menorah making is a social activity that involves math, fine motor, language and imagination.

Our Kindergarten Enrichment classes even incorporated circuitry!

Happy Chanukah!

Thank you to our ECDC Teachers who contributed to this post!