I grew up in a community that offered religious diversity; as did my mother. Many of my friends were Jewish, and I am still close to many of them today. I was part of many of their families' Chanukah celebrations.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDV_reO930A&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Chanukah is the festival of lights; its a remembrance of a miracle that happened in Jerusalem 2500+ years ago. As recorded in the apochrophal Book of Maccabees, the Greeks were attempting to conquer the Holy Land and Hellenize it. One way was to impose their pantheistic beliefs and they defiled the temple in Jerusalem.
The temple was the center of ancient Judaic worship. Against all odds, the Maccabees drove the Greeks out. When surveying the damage, they realized that there was only enough oil to light one branch of the temple's menorah (an 8 branch candelabra) for one day. That's when the real miracle happened: there was enough oil for it to be lit ablaze for 8 days (one for each branch on the menorah).
To commemorate this miracle, the celebration of Chanukah began. It is NOT a Jewish Christmas. It's the celebration of G-d working in people's lives. Most certainly, Jesus as a Jew, would have celebrated Chanukah.
Part of the celebration includes gifts, over 8 nights, but there is a sacred element as well. There are prayers said as the menorah is lit; traditionally foods fried in oil are eaten (to remind one of the miracle of the oil); games (most notably the dreidel) are played.
There are some excellent websites that offer more insight into how to celebrate Chanukah. One of the best resources I've found is www.chabad.org; there are a variety of resources and projects, including how to make a dreidel.
To celebrate Chanukah at home you will first need a menorah. Don't have one? You can make one out of modeling clay and birthday candles.
Roll out the clay to form a base.
In the middle, add some more clay to build up the base (contrasting colors work well)
Insert 7 birthday candles into the base. Add another in the middle. Let air dry.
Here's a video to show you how to light the menorah:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAj3lPdnLbA&feature=youtube_gdata_player
You can also make a dreidel. There are some great websites with directions. The easiest I found was here:
http://www.dltk-kids.com/world/jewish/mdriedel.html
Playing the game is rather simple (and lots of fun!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rD3La8lV2w&feature=youtube_gdata_player
A Chanukah celebration would not be complete without latkes, which are potato pancakes fried in oil:
There is a great recipe I found here:
http://girliegirlarmy.com/nosh/20101201/recipe-vegan-latkes/
1-1/2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and grated
1 small yellow onion, peeled and grated
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Canola oil, for frying
What You Do:
1. In a colander set over a large bowl, place potatoes. Using your hands, squeeze out the excess liquid from the potatoes. Pour off the liquid and place potatoes in the bowl. Add onion to potatoes along with parsley, flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper, and mix well.
2. Preheat oven to 275 degrees. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat a thin layer of oil. Take a heaping tablespoon of batter and flatten it before gently placing it in the hot oil. Make three or four more potato pancakes this way, and add to skillet without crowding pan. Fry until golden brown on both sides, turning once, about 8 minutes total.
3. Repeat with remaining potato mixture, adding more oil as necessary. Remove the cooked potato pancakes to paper towels to drain, then transfer to an ovenproof platter and keep warm in the oven until all pancakes are cooked.
Serve with applesauce & sour cream (vegan, of course)
