First Day of Hanukkah 2024 in the United Kingdom

The First Day of Hanukkah marks the beginning of the eight-day Jewish festival, celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. It is observed by lighting the first candle on the menorah, offering prayers, and enjoying traditional foods like latkes and doughnuts.

First Day of Hanukkah: A Public Holiday?

The First Day of Hanukkah is not a public holiday in the UK. Businesses, offices, and schools follow regular opening hours, though Jewish families observe it with menorah lighting, prayers, and festive meals.

First Day of Hanukkah

The First Day of Hanukkah marks the beginning of the Jewish festival, which commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The story of Hanukkah dates back to the 2nd century BCE, when the Jewish people, led by the Maccabees, reclaimed the temple from Greek rulers. According to tradition, they found only a tiny amount of oil to light the temple's menorah, which miraculously burned for eight days, inspiring the annual eight-day celebration.

First Day of Hanukkah Celebration in the UK

In the UK, Hanukkah holds special meaning for Jewish families, though it is not a public holiday. Schools and businesses remain open, and daily routines continue as usual. However, the festival is widely observed within Jewish communities, especially in London, Manchester, and other cities with significant Jewish populations. Public menorah lightings in places like Trafalgar Square are becoming more common, bringing people together to celebrate.

Jewish families in the UK celebrate Hanukkah by lighting a candle on the menorah each night, adding one candle every day until all eight are lit. Special prayers are recited, and traditional foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) are enjoyed. Families exchange small gifts or chocolate coins, and children often play with a spinning top called a dreidel. Some communities host events and parties, adding to the festive spirit.

Hanukkah is important because it celebrates freedom, faith, and miracles, reminding people of the strength to preserve their identity and traditions. For Jewish communities in the UK, it is a time to connect with their heritage and faith while sharing their traditions with others. The festival encourages hope and unity, making it a celebration of the past and a reminder of perseverance and community spirit.

Who Celebrates the First Day of Hanukkah in the UK?

With an estimated 270,000 Jewish people living in the United Kingdom, Hanukkah holds special significance for Jewish communities across the country. The largest Jewish populations are found in London, particularly in areas like Barnet, Golders Green, and Hackney, with other significant communities in Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, and Birmingham. Families and congregations in these areas celebrate the First Day of Hanukkah by lighting the menorah, saying prayers, and enjoying traditional foods, marking the start of the eight-day festival.

First Day of Hanukkah Observances