At sunset on December 18th, Jewish communities in Canada and around the world will light the first candle on the Hanukkiah to welcome the beginning of the eight day celebration of Hanukkah. Hanukkah ends on the evening of December 26th. Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century B.C., where Jews rose up against their oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt. When the altar was rebuilt, the soldiers only had enough oil to light the Hanukkiah for a single night, but that little bit of oil lasted for eight full nights, hence the holiday lasting eight days. Often called the Festival of Lights, the holiday is celebrated with the lighting of the Hanukkiah, eating traditional foods such as latkes and sufganiyot, spinning the dreidel. Hanukkah reaffirms the values of Judaism and the resilience of the Jewish people in the face of immense adversity. Hanukkah is an opportunity to reflect on life’s blessings and recognize the significant contributions that Jewish Canadians make to our country.