What is Chanukah in the United States?

The Hebrew word Chanukah means "dedication." In the 2nd century BCE, the Syrian-Greek regime of Antiochus sought to pull Jews away from Judaism, with the hopes of assimilating them into Hellenism--Creek culture.

In response, a band of courageous Jews took to the hills of Judea in open revolt against this theat to Jewish life. Antiochus sent thousands of well-armed troops to crush the rebellion--but the Maccabees succeeded in driving the foreeigners from their land.

Jewish fighters entered Jerusalem in December, 164 BCE. The Holy Temple was in shambles, defiled and desecrated by foreign soldiers. When it came time to re-light the Menorah, they searched the entire Temple, but only one small jar of oil bearing the pure seal of the High Priest could be found. Miraculously. the small jar of oil burned for eight days, until a new supply of oil could be brought.
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From then on, Jews have observerved a holiday for eight days in honor of this historic victory and the miracle of the oil.

Today, the observance of Chanukah features the lighting of a special Chanukah menorah with eight branches (plus a helper candle) , adding one new candle each night. Other customs include spinning the dreidel (a top with Hebrew letters on the sides) , eating "oily" foods like potato latkes (pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts) , and giving Chanukah gelt (coins) to Children.