Hanukkah in 1913

The winter scenario for this room was co-curated with Afia Khatun from the Museum’s Community Authors group.

On the first night of Hanukkah, Israel Delinsky lights the menorah, a cherished family heirloom from Poland, feeling grateful to celebrate openly and free from fear.

What's happening

Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah, and Israel Delinsky has just lit the first candle on the menorah to mark the occasion. This small menorah was one of the few things the Delinskys were able to bring with them when they fled Poland years before, and tonight they are grateful to be able to celebrate this festival of light openly and without fear.

Ray has spent the day cooking up a feast for the family, with fried foods such as potato latkes, and doughnuts for dessert, symbolising the miracle of the oil that Hanukkah commemorates. After dinner the children will receive presents and wager a few sweets playing with their dreidels.

The Festival of Hanukkah

Hanukkah marks the recovery of Jerusalem by the Maccabees in the 2nd century BCE from forces who wished to suppress Judaism. After the victory, the Maccabees needed to rededicate the Temple by the ritual lighting of the Menorah, but there was only oil to last one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, lasting until new oil could be made. To honour these events, Jewish households light a candle or oil lamp each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, giving gifts and hosting feasts throughout the festival.