Title: PROTOTYPE COLUMN

Different religious holidays

Can you match the holidays to the different religions?

Buddhism

Islam

Christianity

Judaism

Hinduism

Maha Shivaratri

Eid al-Adha

Ramadan

Magha Puja

Holi

Good Friday

Passover

Kathina

Pentecost

Vesak

Hanukkah

Eid al-Fitr

Yom Kippur

Asalha Puja

Navaratri

Mawlid al-Nabi

Diwali

Christmas

Easter

Rosh Hashanah

Religious holidays in one religion

Q: What holidays do you know that are celebrated in Judaism?
A: Judaism has a rich tapestry of holidays that are celebrated throughout the year. Some notable examples include: 1. Passover (Pesach), which commemorates the Exodus from Egypt. 2. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. 3. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which is considered the holiest day of the Jewish year. 4. Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. 5. Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, which commemorates the wandering of the Israelites in the desert. 6. Purim, which celebrates the saving of the Jewish people from Haman in the Persian Empire. 7. Shavuot, which marks the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.

[Image: Worksheet Image]

Hanukkah

Source: YB13D on Wikimedia Commons

Hanukkah is a special holiday celebrated by Jewish people around the world. It usually takes place in late November or December and lasts for eight nights and days. The exact dates change every year because the Jewish calendar is different from the one most people use daily.

Hanukkah is celebrated in many countries, including Israel, the United States, Canada, and many European countries. Families and friends come together to remember the miraculous event that happened a long time ago in Jerusalem.

One of the main traditions of Hanukkah is lighting the menorah, a special candle holder with nine branches. Each night, one more candle is lit until all eight candles, plus the helper candle called the shammash, are glowing. This is done to remember the miracle when a small amount of oil kept the menorah in the ancient Temple of Jerusalem lit for eight days, even though it seemed like there was only enough oil for one day.

During Hanukkah, people sing songs, play games, and enjoy delicious foods. One popular game is dreidel, a spinning top with four sides. Each side has a Hebrew letter, and depending on which side lands facing up, players either win or lose chocolate coins or other small treats.

Eating special foods is a big part of Hanukkah celebrations. People eat foods fried in oil, like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts), to remember the miracle of the oil.

Hanukkah is especially fun for children. They often receive gifts each night, and some families give "Hanukkah gelt," which can be real coins or chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil. Kids also love playing with dreidels and enjoying the special foods prepared during the holiday.

Hanukkah is a time for joy, family, and remembering miracles. It's a celebration of light, hope, and resilience that brings people together, making it a very special time of the year.

Additional information for teachers