Celebrate Chanukah on Ice Skates
Chabad Hosts Chanukah Ice Skating Events All Over the World
Chabad Lubavitch hosts special and unique Chanukah on Ice events all over the globe.
Holiday Ice Skating - Jewish Style
In December of each year, many families think about holiday ice skating. Ice rinks are usually filled with Christmas trees and Santas on ice skates.
Jewish families are also able to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Chanukah in a special way. Chabad Lubavitch hosts special "Chanukah on Ice" events in locations all over the globe. These events are especially geared for Jewish families. Jewish families get a chance to enjoy the holiday season in their own way.
Happy Faces
It is common to see happy faces ice skating at these events. Chanukah songs are played. Traditional Chanukah foods are served. The highlight of the event is the lighting of a large Chanukah Menorah. Sometimes someone will dress up as Judah the Macabee and play and skate with the children that attend the Chanukah on Ice events.
Spelling and History
The word "Chanukah" has a variety of spellings. Another common spelling is "Hanukkah," but the word can also be spelled as "Hanukka" or "Chanukkah." The holiday remembers a miracle that happened more than 2,000 years ago. A Greek king named Antiochus forced the Jews to worship the Greek gods, but certain Jews fought against him. A rebellion was led by Judah the Macabee. The Jewish Temple had to be cleaned and rededicated after the Jews did win the rebellion.
The large menorah in the Temple needed to be lit, but there was only enough oil to last for one day. It would take eight days to make more oil. The Chanukah miracle is that the oil did last for eight days.
Celebrations
The holiday of Chanukah is celebrated by Jewish families all over the world. They light a menorah and light one candle on the first night of Chanukah, two on the second, three on the third night, four on the fourth night, five on the fifth night, six on the sixth night, seven on the seventh night, and finally, eight on the eighth night of Chanukah. Familes sing songs, tell stories, give presents, and eat food fried in oil. A game using spinning tops called "The Dreidel Game" is played.
Chanukah on Ice History
The idea of Chanukah on Ice originated in 1997. The first event was held in Florida. Today, approximately ninety Chanukah on Ice events are held throughout the United States.
Chanukah on Ice makes celebrating the holiday more joyful. Chabad sometimes brings an elaborate menorah made of solid ice to the events. Families learn more about their Judaism and have fun at the same time. Ice skating and Chanukah do mix!
