Reading the story with your Child
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Allow your child to read this story to you. If your child does not understand a word or is unable to pronounce it, please assist him/ her by defining or providing the correct pronunciation of the word. Let your child repeat the word a few times. Listen for the correct pronunciation of beginning, middle, and ending sounds.

At the end of the story, ask your child a few questions about the story’s plot. Or, have your child retell the story in his/ her own words. Then, have your child click the "comprehension quiz" button.

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Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is an important Jewish holiday. In the month  of December, Hanukkah is celebrated by Jewish people all over the world. Hanukkah commemorates an important event in the history of the Jewish people.

"The Story of Hanukkah"


Long ago, the Jewish people built a city called Jerusalem; in the city, they also built a large and beautiful temple. Jerusalem became the center of the Jewish nation. But the Jews had many enemies, and finally their enemies captured Jerusalem. The king of their enemies forced the Jews to leave Jerusalem and live in the hills near the city. His army took everything out of the temple and kept animals in it, like a barn. These acts were an insult to the Jewish people.

One family, living in a town near Jerusalem, was furious that the enemy king had forced the Jews to leave the city. They were especially furious about the way the king had abused the beautiful temple. This family had five sons and one was named Judah. People called him Judah Maccabee, which means "Judah the Hammer," because he was so strong.


Judah and his family gathered an army to fight against their enemies. After a long time, they forced the enemy soldiers to leave Jerusalem. Then Judah and his army cleaned the temple and took the animals away. When at last they told the Jews to return to Jerusalem, the Jewish people planned a huge celebration.

Although there was only enough oil to light the lamp in the temple for one day, the Jews began their celebration anyway, hoping to find more oil before the lamp went out. No one found more oil, but the lamp kept burning for eight days and nights. 

In memory of this wonderful event, the Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, for eight days. They light candles on a menorah candleholder to symbolize the lamp in the temple. Each night another candle is lit. By the eighth night all eight candles are lit, plus the "servant" candle, the one used to light all the others.

As part of the celebration, people give each other gifts. Children play games-one is with a dreidle which spins. Everyone sings and people dance the hora, a joyful dance. They eat latkes, which are potato pancakes, and other special foods. It is a time of rejoicing for the Jewish people. 


The end.