LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Hanukkah: Hanukkah Song
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In contemporary Israel, Hanukkah is a national holiday, and students present plays, sing holiday songs, and have parties. Schools are closed, and menorahs are displayed atop such prominent buildings as the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. A highlight of the eight-day festival is an annual relay from Modi'in to Jerusalem. Runners carry burning torches through the streets beginning in Modi'in. The runners continue until the final torchbearer arrives at the Western Wall, which is the last remnant of the Temple. The torchbearer hands the torch to the chief rabbi, who uses it to light the first candle of a giant menorah.
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The primary observance of Hanukkah is the lighting of the Menorah, which commemorates the miracle of light that occurred when the Jews re-claimed their Holy Temple in Jerusalem over 21 centuries ago. One candle is lit the first night, and an additional candle is lit each successive night. And on the last night of Hanukkah, all eight candles of the menorah are lit. While lighting the candles, blessings are recited and songs are sung by family and friends.
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Hanukkah is a time for feasting, songs, games and gifts. Traditional foods like latkes, potato pancakes cooked in oil, garnished with sour cream and applesauce, are served. Children are given gifts of money. A four-sided top with Hebrew letters on each side, called a dreidel, is a traditional entertainment for children. The letters---Nun, Gimel, Hay and Shin translate "a great miracle happened here."
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Hanukkah is a festive family occasion, with special foods and songs. Children generally receive small gifts or money, known as Hanukkah gelt (money), each evening after the candles are lit. Foods fried in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and doughnuts, commemorate the miracle of the oil. Sweet foods ... are popular, and children may receive chocolate coins in place of Hanukkah gelt. Songs also play a part in the festivities and remind the family of the events commemorated.
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This 1999 compilation was the second of two albums composed to put a contemporary spin on Hanukkah music. Some of the songs are traditional, others are originals written in the spirit of the holiday. Contemporary and stately is definitely the order of the day; the only break in the mood comes from They Might Be Giants' "Feast of Lights," with its toy piano, rock beat and gentle satire of Jewishness: "You never write, you never call..." Serious stuff from such artists as David Koz, Robin Holcomb, Peter Himmelman, The Klezmatics with Chana Alberstein, Wayne Horvitz, Continuo, Neshama Carlebach and others. The first volume in this series is similar and featured Jane Siberry, Marc Cohn, The Covenant, David Torn, Frank London and John Leventhal. On that one, the only pop-rock move comes from "Lighting Up the World" by Peter Himmelman and David Broza. Overall, a little serious for Mistletunes' purposes, but good for folks who want a more modern sound to their Hanukkah celebrations.
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Because the meal is so hearty, the family may appreciate a little break from the table to give the children their Hanukkah gelt, either the foil-wrapped chocolate coins, or perhaps, the real thing. At this time, the children might anticipate receiving a long-awaited gift that may be small or large, depending on family tradition. Children love to sing their favorite Hanukkah songs, "The Dreidle Song," or "Hanukkah, Oh, Hanukkah" or others they learn in Sunday school. Sometimes the whole family joins in the sing-along. While the adults chat among themselves, the children gather on the floor to spin the dreidle.
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Hanukkah Song