http://www.history.com/photos/hanukkah en Copyright 2013, History.com Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT History.com 2013-05-24T04:00:00Z en Copyright 2013, History.com http://www.history.com/photos/hanukkah/photo1 Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah commemorates the Jews’ victory over the Syrians in 165 BCE, and the subsequent rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. It is a holiday celebrated by Jewish people all over the world during November and December. http://www.history.com/photos/hanukkah/photo1 http://www.history.com/photos/hanukkah/photo2 At the center of the Hanukkah celebration is the menorah. For each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, one more candle is added to the menorah and then lit by the center candle, known as the shammash. http://www.history.com/photos/hanukkah/photo2 http://www.history.com/photos/hanukkah/photo3 When the Jews came to rededicate their Temple in 165 BCE they found just one small flask of oil to light the menorah. Miraculously, the oil kept the lamp burning for eight days. Jews light the menorah every Hanukkah to commemorate this feat. http://www.history.com/photos/hanukkah/photo3 http://www.history.com/photos/hanukkah/photo4 Israeli soldiers light Hanukkah candles just outside the Gaza Strip in 2008. http://www.history.com/photos/hanukkah/photo4 http://www.history.com/photos/hanukkah/photo5 A Hanukkah staple, latkes are potato pancakes made from grated potatoes mixed with other ingredients such as eggs, onions and flour. http://www.history.com/photos/hanukkah/photo5 http://www.history.com/photos/hanukkah/photo6 A four-sided top used for playing games, the Dreidel is a symbol of Hanukkah for many. http://www.history.com/photos/hanukkah/photo6 http://www.history.com/photos/hanukkah/photo7 Gift-giving is a major part of Hanukkah for some families. Children often receive small chocolate coins, known as gelt. http://www.history.com/photos/hanukkah/photo7 http://www.history.com/photos/hanukkah/photo8 Though it has accumulated many secular traditions, Hanukkah remains a religious holiday for Jewish people. In this picture, an Orthodox Jewish boy lights a menorah in the West Bank. http://www.history.com/photos/hanukkah/photo8