The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah or Hanukah) begins on sundown on December 22 of this year and will continue until sundown on the 30th. Also known as the “Festival of Lights,” the holiday celebrates the Jews reclaiming their holy Temple around the year 160 BCE. Jewish people celebrate around the word by joining with friends and family for eight nights of singing songs, exchanging gifts, playing games, eating special fried foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (doughnuts), and lighting candles on the menorah.
URI's grassroots peacebuilding groups, called Cooperation Circles, are formed by members of at least three different religions, spiritual expressions, or Indigenous traditions. Learning about each other's holidays is one way to build bridges and show mutual respect. See more ways URI members are working towards interfaith understanding and dialogue.